Where To Draw Blood For Glucose Test

If you're tired of the pain of finger sticking and the calluses that can develop over time, alternating site testing could exist an option for claret sugar testing, specially for those who want to practise frequent checks.

In a study published in the Journal of Diabetes Scientific discipline and Technology, researchers compared patients' satisfaction with fingertip claret saccharide testing and testing using an alternate site, in this case the palm of the hand. They found that people who test their claret sugar levels iv times a day like the idea of using alternative site testing approaches. Withal, they also establish that testing on their palm with regular lancing supplies didn't always provide easy access to go enough claret for a exam strip.

Managing Diabetes With Alternate Site Testing: The Choices

"The palm of the hand is good because it's capillary blood and information technology's going to be current blood sugar," said certified diabetes educator Sacha Uelmen, RD, plan director of the outpatient diabetes education plan at the Academy of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. Your pollex is another option if you're tired of using fingers.

Other possible locations include the thigh, calf, upper arm, and forearm. However, sites other than your palm are recommended but if your blood saccharide is stable at the time of testing.

Certified diabetes educator Hector Verastigui, RN, clinical research coordinator at the Texas Diabetes Constitute in San Antonio, said he teaches patients to test using their artillery as an choice if they are interested in alternate site testing.

However, there are disadvantages to this method equally well. "Most patients that I teach alternative site testing will say that forearm testing is less painful but difficult to obtain a blood sample, and most patients will render to fingertip testing," Verastigui said. He also tells people to be aware of the timing difference in blood glucose between forearm and fingertip. "A blood glucose issue taken at the fingertip volition non reach the forearm capillaries for twenty to 30 minutes," he said. "This is important because if a patient is testing for a possible low blood sugar reaction and if they employ culling site testing, their meter may display a normal value and not a truthful blood sugar issue, which may delay treatment." And then if you're concerned well-nigh the timing of testing, it might be best to stick with finger testing.

Uelmen has had patients who tested using their arms and one patient who successfully used his earlobe — "a good option if you can exercise information technology," she said. Merely she pointed out that, at least in Michigan, where it is common cold for a pregnant role of the year, most people do not use their legs for testing because of the hassle of taking off clothes. She also brash a conservative approach for people who are uncertain of their claret sugar levels.

"If you lot're afraid yous're low or if your blood sugar is changing, you demand to use your hands," she said. "Just if you're simply curious about your body's response to something — such as, how did that meal exercise? — you lot could use your artillery or an alternate site."

In a higher place all, she brash checking in with your diabetes educator if you desire to try an culling site. Yous'll want to brand sure that your lancing device can be used for the site you're considering and you'll need to discover out how to suit lancing depth, if necessary.

One possible drawback of alternate site testing is the cost of test strips if y'all feel y'all can't rely on the results and end up testing (again) using your finger. Other drawbacks include the fear of testing pain and scarring, although many people worry nigh these impacts from lancing their fingers as well.

When You Must Stick to the Fingertip

In certain situations, y'all should not do alternating site testing. These include:

If you but took insulin
If you think your blood sugar level could be low
If you are non always enlightened when your blood carbohydrate level drops very low
If you are sick or stressed
If you only exercised or just ate

Talk with your diabetes educator or another member of your medical team if you think alternative site testing could be for you lot. Yous might be on to something — getting good information near blood sugar levels and giving your fingers a break at the same fourth dimension.