WHERE TO TEST RE FINGERS

[mum2westiesGill]

Hi,
I'm asking re someone who works with my hubby ~ the person is T1 & sometimes uses his arms instead of fingers to do the test ~ is this ok to do?

 

[mikeyB]

Yup. For blood tests anywhere that bleeds will do, though most devices have alternative pricking heads - usually a clear plastic device that comes in the original packaging, which alters the range of pricking depth. Arm, earlobe, stab wounds, all work. 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Yup. For blood tests anywhere that bleeds will do, though most devices have alternative pricking heads - usually a clear plastic device that comes in the original packaging, which alters the range of pricking depth. Arm, earlobe, stab wounds, all work. 🙂

Am I right in thinking that meter instructions tend to ‘prefer’ finger tip samples Mike? I think I read a while back that results from AST (alternate site testing) were not guaranteed to the same degree of accuracy as fingertips. Or have I made that up?

 

[mikeyB]

Try getting a finger prick test from a neonate. Can’t be done.🙂

I don’t know that the accuracy is that far out, and the finger prick test still varies from a venous blood sample taken contemporaneously. Which is more accurate? Your Libre samples interstitial fluid from the upper arm, and, except when recovering from a hypo, you trust as reasonably accurate.

The preference for fingerpricks relates more to consistency and ease of sampling than spot on accuracy.

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Could be a solution to sore fingers. I'm going to conduct my own research tonight while I wile away the hours at work 🙄

 

[Lucy Honeychurch]

Well, I stabbed my arm a few times with my jabber but couldn't draw blood

 

[Kaylz]

I've heard of people using their earlobes to test, never tried it myself as I have my ears pierced twice so not a lot of room to try lol x

 

[Ljc]

In the past I’ve tried my upper arm and palm of my hand with little success of blood letting.

 

[Beck S]

This is interesting to know. I suffer from eczema on my hands and fingers and it gets worse in the winter so I was wondering if there was anywhere else you could test.

 

[mikeyB]

As I don’t figerprick much at all, as soon as I get a new jabber (the dog chewed up my last one) I volunteer to experiment with different bits of my body just for scientific research. And with different heads to the jabber. Watch this space.

 

[HOBIE]

I used to be able to get blood out of my left hand with very little effort because I am right handed & always use my right hand to use pricker. After a long time of testing it is good to have a change. Another advantage of a Libre or similar 🙂

 

[SB2015]

Just realised that it is a while since I changed my lancet!!!
Perhaps that is why I am failing to draw blood.

I had heard to use fingers for hypos, otherwise anywhere that bleeds.
Fingers and hands seems to stop more quickly and make less mess.
Base of thumb is quite good to give my fingers a rest.

 

[AJLang]

OMG I've been finger prick testing since the tests were introduced and I really wouldn't like to test anything other than my fingers. Maybe I'm just a wimp...