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Can't always get enough blood to test sugar levels, any tips?

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zoeynewman

zoeynewman

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
As im fairly new to this I have a lot of questions as I haven't really been told much.
Any-ways at times I can find it hard to get enough blood to fill my test strip :/
I do the massage the finger and squeeze, shaking my hands before hand to promote blood flow, putting hand in hot water eg.
Turn the dial up on my needle thing which only works for a few tests then its back to not getting a lot of blood.
Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.
A week ago it took six pricks and massaging and squeezing before I could get enough blood.
Does anyone have any good tips ? which will work 9 times out of 10 if possible.
 
Hi zoe, which meter are you using? Some need more blood then others.

I usually only struggle to get blood in the morning. But I use most the tricks that you listed. I also try to hold the lancet device in place for a few seconds to try encourage it to not seal up straight away.
 
It sounds like you are doing all the right things tbh. Different blood strips need different amounts of blood however, I find the one touch strips require less than some others, which meter do you have? I usually prick the side of my fingers, this tends to give more blood and is the best place to do.
 
I also use the side of my finger but still struggle :/
I use abbots freestyle optimum.
 
AAww Zoey poor you , poor fingers Sorry cant think of anything else as you seem to be doing it already.
 
The Optium is rather demanding of blood - it seems to take ages to draw up enough! I have one as a spare but I also use and Accu chek which is much quicker and easier - when you see your DSN you should ask if she has one she can give you (they often have a variety of meters).

One thing that does help is to prick your finger, then wait a couple of seconds before squeezing. This is because your finger reacts to the injury by trying to close the hole immediately, but if you wait a couple of seconds it relaxes and it is easier to get the blood. Works for me, anyway! 🙂
 
Ooo thank you I will deffo try that 🙂
Gosh I have lots to ask when I see the diabetic nurse :L Hope I have enough time to say it all.
 
The abbotts freestyle lite needs only a little bit of blood. It just lacks the ability to measure ketones.

You will find as a insulin user that many meter companies wil happily send you a free meter!
 
Oo so do I just need to find one I like then email them saying im type 1 and I should get sent one for free?
Would would you say to these company's?
Anyone know of a better one than im using now that will send me out one for free?
 
I find letting my arm hang down for a couple of seconds helps, as does a new lancet.

I find the MyLife Pura meter is brilliant at sucking up the blood and it never fails, unlike my OneTouch. Get in touch with MyLife at 0800 092 67 87, website: http://www.mylife-diabetescare.co.uk/mylife-pura.html, they have a funcky black one and a new black one. The pricker is pretty good as well.
 
Would they give it to me for free, or would I have to go through my doctor/Diabetic Nurse?
 
I would also agree with making sure your hand is hanging down and not up when you try and get blood out. On a first aid course, to demonstrate the point of pressure and elevation to stop severe bleeding, we were told to put one arm up in the air, one down by our side, and wiggle our fingers for 2-3 minutes. When you then put your hands together in front of you the difference in colour is staggering! Try it! Proves holding your arm/hand up the blood flows downwards, so keep your arm down whilst trying to get some blood.

I agree though, some meters do require more than others and the Optium Xceed seems to need way more than the Aviva Nano or Accu-chek Mobile that my son also has.
 
Do I just need to print off the form fill it in and send it off and they should send one out for free?
 
Printed off the form but it says its in swizerland does that matter, should I still do it, sorry for all the questions.
 
Simplest option is to just ring them, tell them you test 8-10 times a day (you should be doing this anyway) and that you're interested in trying one of their meters. All the meter companies I've dealt with are happy to send out whatever meter you want, with the exception of Bayer who are overly protective of their Contour USB. I got a free AccuChek Mobile out of Roche, which I think is the most expensive meter out there at the moment.

If you're REALLY cheeky, you can usually convince them to throw in the connection cables and software too (tell them that computer connectivity is a real dealbreaker for you). AccuChek wouldn't budge on their IR receiver though.

Most of these companies also supply free batteries too - I've not had to buy any cell or AAA batteries for years now as I always just call up a meter company whenever the batteries in the TV remote run out.
 
haha that made me laugh.
Will deffo do some research in ones that I like the look off and give them a call.
I only do my bg 4 times a day as that is what they told me :/
 
Make sure your surgery will give you the strips though, not sure if surgeries restrict strips to certain meters, can someone confirm?
 
slipper said:
Make sure your surgery will give you the strips though, not sure if surgeries restrict strips to certain meters, can someone confirm?
Click to expand...

I believe some PCTs have imposed restrictions, although as Zoey has an Optium Xceed at the moment that would suggest hers doesn't have those restrictions as it's usually PCTs that have designated some cheap meter not one of the more 'standard' priced ones 🙂
 
Any one know company's that do meter that does bg and ketones.
Which I could ring up and get one for free?
 
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