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Blood for monitor

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C

Caitlinziva

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I use a mini lancet at No 3 setting and still no blood coming out of puncture.I wash my hands with hot water and massage my hand prior to using the lancet.My finger tips are getting sore.I used to squeeze the puncture site and collect the blood.Going back to the manufacturer's instructions it specifically states NOT to squeeze the puncture site.Apparently this could give a false reading.
Can anyone explain?If this procedure produces a false reading,is it lower or higher than what it should really be?
 
Hi Caitlinziva. Welcome 🙂

I suspect we all have similar problems with trying to get blood from time to time so can sympathise.

How long have you been diagnosed and what meter & lancet device do you have ?

Some are better than others. Do you change the lancet regularly ?

Are you on any meds that maybe affect your circulation ?

The problem with squeezing the fingers too close to the puncture site is that the fluid from under the skin (interstitial fluid) can be squeezed out and mix with the blood, which will affect the reading. I'm not sure which way it would send it.

Rob
 
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Hi Caitlinziva

Welcome to the forums 🙂

I *think* the problem with squeezing the place where the lancet goes in is that you can get a mixture of blood and interstitial fluid (a fluid which surrounds cells in the skin).

Interstitial fluid is what CGMs measure and typically gives a reading roughly equivalent to BG 10-15 minutes ago. It's the reason that CGMs need to be calibrated so regularly.

As I understand it (apart from using fresh lancets and increasing the depth, and doing the other things you mention) you are allowed to encourage blood toward the tip by sort of 'milking' your finger gently.

Some people also find hanging their arms loosely by their sides for a while before testing helps.

Hope you find a solution soon!
M

EDIT: Ha! Posted at the same time as Rob - sorry for the duplication
 
At least you spelt squeeze correctly ! 🙄 (I've put it right now 🙂)

Rob
 
Hi Rob and M,
Thank you for the quick replies.
I use the MINI Lancet with the device.I have been testing for a couple of years until the readings became a bit erratic.On querying I was told the squeezing could be the culprit.So I went back to the monitor's instructions.The device is Optium Exceed.I am not on any medication for circulation.
And M,I will try hanging my arm for a while and see if it works and also possible "milking" as well.
 
One of the things I've found that really seems to help, after 30-odd years multiple bodging LOL is stroking the finger on the palm side, very firmly from the inside of the big knuckle to just about the top knuckle. Usually with the thunb of the other hand as if I was going to take firm hold of the knuckle and then relaxing the fingers. Miraculously most times, a very large drop of blood appears - a lot more than I need from a hole I couldn't previously even see!

Try that.
 
One good tip is to allow a couple of seconds after lancing before applying a little pressure to the sides of the fingertip (a small amount of pressure shouldn't affect the blood, it's only if you squeeze hard). Allowing that couple of seconds relaxes the puncture site and blood should appear more readily. 🙂

I might also add that the Xceed does seem to take ages to draw up the blood - might be worth asking for a different meter that requires a smaller sample of blood. I believe the Glucomen meters only need 0.3 as opposed to 0.5 but there are probably others.

Welcome to the forum! 🙂
 
The Xceed has newer and older version of the test strips, which use different amounts of blood. If I remember rightly, the gold wrapped ones use a lot less than the silver, but are more expensive so less likely to be dispensed.

Rob
 
I didn't realise you shouldn't squeeze your finger to draw blood, learn something new everyday.
 
So do I RH, but I haven't today - yet ! LOL

- oh yes i have - the Apidra debacle !
 
Just acquired 2 new lancing devices.
Freestyle device-instruction:gently squeeze your finger,if needed, until a blood drop forms.
Easy Touch device-instruction:Avoid squeezing puncture after lancing.
 
I must have steel capped fingers, if I don't squeeze, I get nowt. My Freestyle takes up the blood really fast though, much quicker than the Contour did.
 
I read it some time ago but can't remember where.Wipe away the first drop of blood and use the second one for testing.Does this sound right?
 
Caitlinziva said:
I read it some time ago but can't remember where.Wipe away the first drop of blood and use the second one for testing.Does this sound right?
Click to expand...

I've never heard of that. It sounds like an idealistic practice but by the time you've wiped the 1st drop, you may struggle to get another.🙄

Similarly, they advise to carry a damp flannel around with us to clean the fingers before pricking. Not sure about anyone else, but I don't want the smell of a stale, damp cloth following me around. Although it may help in a post office queue to get to the front.:D

Rob
 
Robster65 said:
I've never heard of that. It sounds like an idealistic practice but by the time you've wiped the 1st drop, you may struggle to get another.🙄

Similarly, they advise to carry a damp flannel around with us to clean the fingers before pricking. Not sure about anyone else, but I don't want the smell of a stale, damp cloth following me around. Although it may help in a post office queue to get to the front.:D

Rob
Click to expand...

I carry a few wet wipes and a small bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel in case I can't get to a sink.
 
Caitlinziva said:
I read it some time ago but can't remember where.Wipe away the first drop of blood and use the second one for testing.Does this sound right?
Click to expand...

I've heard that too, I think it was our member Adrienne that I heard it from. It's not something I have ever done.
 
AlisonM said:
I carry a few wet wipes and a small bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel in case I can't get to a sink.
Click to expand...

They specifically advise against wet wipes or hand gel in case they interfere with the reading. :(

Most of the time, I just take my chances and test. It's the thing that used to put me off testing in the old days. I just got so fed up with having to go and rinse my hands that I didn't bother testing for a long time.

I now compromise.

ROb
 
That's interesting Rob, my DSN said wet wipes and gel are fine and I haven't noticed any great differences between readings when I use them and when I wash my hands. I'm going to try a wee experiment and do it both ways to see if there is any difference. I'll let you know.
 
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