Which finger s best to use to test blood sugars

[Clarelryxx]

Hi just a quick question which finger do I use to test blood sugar I’ve just tested and got a reading of 8.5 on my left middle finger and tested same finger on my right and got a reading of 10.1 so just find it a bit strange any thoughts

 

[helli]

It is advisable to use all fingers. Not for a single prick but it is important to "rotate' the fingers you prick to avoid over use of a single finger causing pain.

Regarding the different numbers, this is not unusual and are within the allowable 15% of each other.
Over time, we get used to accepting the first reading (unless it doesn't "feel right").

 

[Thebearcametoo]

It’s best to avoid the thumb and index finger because you tend to use them more to grip etc but all other fingers should be used. You should be testing at the side not in the middle of the pad so each finger has 2 areas for testing from giving you 12 sites to rotate. It’s normal for two consecutive tests to be different readings within 10-15%. An individual test can only tell you so much but over time you get a picture of trends.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

It is advisable to use all fingers.

I think it's recommended not to use index fingers. Having said that I've always used all fingers (on the sides) without any issues.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I think it's recommended not to use index fingers. Having said that I've always used all fingers (on the sides) without any issues.

I think that might be slightly pessimistic view from the past - a nurse once mentioned braille to me in that context 😱

I wouldn’t worry too much about the differences between fingers. To comply with ISO guidelines 95% of readings need to be within certain limits, but 5% can be pretty much anything!

For all the illusion of decimal point accuracy, meters are much more ‘ish’ than you would think!

From the useful links thread…

BG meter accuracy
It can be quite disconcerting for members new to self monitoring of blood glucose to get different results from BG readings taken close together, even when carefully following manufacturers guidance (washing hands etc). All meters for sale in the UK should comply with the following ISO standards 95% of the time, which allows a degree of variation (and 5% of results can read anything at all). If in any doubt, or if a reading doesn’t match how you are feeling, you should check again with a fresh strip.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I think that might be slightly pessimistic view from the past - a nurse once mentioned braille to me in that context

Could be that was partly it, yes. Add a bit of peripheral neuropathy and I can imagine the concern.