A meter system, comprising: a supply magazine storing a plurality of lancet integrated test elements in a stacked manner; the lancet integrated test elements each including a test strip for testing a body fluid sample, the test strip being generally flat, the test strip having a sample opening at one end and side edges, and a lancet coupled to the test strip for forming an incision where the body fluid sample is drawn, the lancet being configured to extend proximal the sample opening; a meter having a connector portion (60,61) configured to operatively couple to the lancet integrated test element, the meter being configured to fire the lancets on the lancet integrated test elements; and a transport mechanism to transfer the lancet integrated test elements to the connector portion of the meter, wherein the transport mechanism being configured to engage at least one of the side edges to minimize risk of damaging the test strip and the lancet proximal the sample opening of the lancet integrated test element, characterized in that the transport mechanism includes a shuttle that slides between the magazine and the connector portion of the meter and slides the top-most element from the stack onto the connector portion of the meter; the shuttle defines a test element cavity in which the lancet integrated test elements are received; and the shuttle includes a stabilizer arm biased to push the lancet integrated test elements from the test element cavity and into the connector portion of the meter. a supply magazine storing a plurality of lancet integrated test elements in a stacked manner; the lancet integrated test elements each including a test strip for testing a body fluid sample, the test strip being generally flat, the test strip having a sample opening at one end and side edges, and a lancet coupled to the test strip for forming an incision where the body fluid sample is drawn, the lancet being configured to extend proximal the sample opening; a test strip for testing a body fluid sample, the test strip being generally flat, the test strip having a sample opening at one end and side edges, and a lancet coupled to the test strip for forming an incision where the body fluid sample is drawn, the lancet being configured to extend proximal the sample opening; a meter having a connector portion (60,61) configured to operatively couple to the lancet integrated test element, the meter being configured to fire the lancets on the lancet integrated test elements; and a transport mechanism to transfer the lancet integrated test elements to the connector portion of the meter, wherein the transport mechanism being configured to engage at least one of the side edges to minimize risk of damaging the test strip and the lancet proximal the sample opening of the lancet integrated test element, characterized in that the transport mechanism includes a shuttle that slides between the magazine and the connector portion of the meter and slides the top-most element from the stack onto the connector portion of the meter; the shuttle defines a test element cavity in which the lancet integrated test elements are received; and the shuttle includes a stabilizer arm biased to push the lancet integrated test elements from the test element cavity and into the connector portion of the meter.