A handheld diabetes management device configured to illuminate a test strip inserted therein, comprising: a housing having a port configured to receive a test strip therein, a test strip that has a first end received within the housing and a second end extending outside of the housing, wherein the test strip includes a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is transparent and at least one of the layers is an opaque layer, the test strip is multiple layer strip having at least a longitudinal transparent layer defining a first layer which is applied onto a second layer, wherein the second layer is further applied to a third layer; a circuit board mounted inside the housing; a measurement module mounted to the circuit board and cooperatively operable with the test strip inserted into the port to measure a sample of fluid residing on the test strip, where the circuit board faces an opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port, wherein longitudinal transparent layer has a length which is greater than a length of the second layer and less than a length of the third layer such that a recess at dosing area is created in distal end for receiving a sample, wherein a free surface having electrical contact extends beyond an end of the longitudinal transparent layer, wherein free surface and electrical contacts are received within measurement module; and a light source mounted on the circuit board and operable to emit light substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port, wherein the light source projects the light along an optical axis substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip, and illuminates an area surrounding a dosing end of the test strip, the light source is operable to emit light substantially perpendicular onto a first surface of the first layer such that the light is emitted directly onto the first surface,, the test strip further comprising a reflecting surface on at least one of the plurality of layers, wherein the light is reflected off of the reflecting surface when transmitted through the test strip, wherein the test strip receives the light and transmits the light in a first direction D1 toward the reflecting surface, wherein the light reflects from the reflecting surface and is redirected toward a second direction D2, wherein once the light is redirected toward the second direction D2, the light reflects between reflecting surface and first surface, traveling along a longitudinal axis through test strip and out the distal end of the test strip. a housing having a port configured to receive a test strip therein, a test strip that has a first end received within the housing and a second end extending outside of the housing, wherein the test strip includes a plurality of layers, wherein at least one of the layers is transparent and at least one of the layers is an opaque layer, the test strip is multiple layer strip having at least a longitudinal transparent layer defining a first layer which is applied onto a second layer, wherein the second layer is further applied to a third layer; a circuit board mounted inside the housing; a measurement module mounted to the circuit board and cooperatively operable with the test strip inserted into the port to measure a sample of fluid residing on the test strip, where the circuit board faces an opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port, wherein longitudinal transparent layer has a length which is greater than a length of the second layer and less than a length of the third layer such that a recess at dosing area is created in distal end for receiving a sample, wherein a free surface having electrical contact extends beyond an end of the longitudinal transparent layer, wherein free surface and electrical contacts are received within measurement module; and a light source mounted on the circuit board and operable to emit light substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip inserted into the port, wherein the light source projects the light along an optical axis substantially perpendicular to the opposing top surface of the test strip, and illuminates an area surrounding a dosing end of the test strip, the light source is operable to emit light substantially perpendicular onto a first surface of the first layer such that the light is emitted directly onto the first surface,, the test strip further comprising a reflecting surface on at least one of the plurality of layers, wherein the light is reflected off of the reflecting surface when transmitted through the test strip, wherein the test strip receives the light and transmits the light in a first direction D1 toward the reflecting surface, wherein the light reflects from the reflecting surface and is redirected toward a second direction D2, wherein once the light is redirected toward the second direction D2, the light reflects between reflecting surface and first surface, traveling along a longitudinal axis through test strip and out the distal end of the test strip.