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I was talking to a colleague today who is also T2. He said that he was told to test on his middle finger, ring finger or pinkie. I've always tested on the side of my thumb because I find it less painful.
Are there specific fingers I should be testing on? Does it make a difference?
The advice is generally to test on the side of the finger rather than the pad and to alternate fingers so that one doesn't develop a callous. I think the concern was that if you went blind and your finger pads were calloused, you would struggle to read Braille, but I think the important thing is to find what works for you and not worry too much about it. I tend to use the pads as unlike everyone else, I find it less painful than the side and I use all the fingers and thumb of my left hand because I find it easier to hold the lancet and monitor in my right and prick my left, but there is no real right or wrong, just what works best for you.
I’ve always used the sides of my fingers rather than the pads (fewer nerve endings so less painful). I am happy to use any finger and both sides, but the callouses built up over the years suggest 2nd and 3rd are my most frequently used.
Wow! Poor you! I can use the same finger for 8 tests in a day and not be able to tell which one it was the next day. The skin on my hands is pretty thick and numb though with working outdoors a lot.... sadly the lack of sensitivity doesn't extend to when I get keens on my hands which often happens as they are extremely painful. I do find that inserting the needle to inject my insulin is quite painful though sometimes, even in a variety of sites and sometimes the needle doesn't hurt going in but the insulin does.
I use both sides of all my fingers and thumbs in rotation - but only the sides, never the pads.
I was originally told middle and ring finger, but I need to test far too frequently to use just those, I need all 20 available testing sites!
Hi Bonnie. I think the rule of thumb (pun not intended!) is not to test on the index fingers or thumbs as the nerve endings are more sensitive in these digits and can easily be damaged over period of time. As for myself, I test on the side of the pads. My pinkies are my favourite digits as they more often than not, produce a lower bg 🙂
WL
Though I was told not to use thumbs or index finger in case of infection , I’ve always used all ten but only the sides. Now I use a Libre I am not jabbing them anywhere near th3 amount I used to
Wow! Poor you! I can use the same finger for 8 tests in a day and not be able to tell which one it was the next day. The skin on my hands is pretty thick and numb though with working outdoors a lot.... sadly the lack of sensitivity doesn't extend to when I get keens on my hands which often happens as they are extremely painful. I do find that inserting the needle to inject my insulin is quite painful though sometimes, even in a variety of sites and sometimes the needle doesn't hurt going in but the insulin does.
I read (somewhere 🙂) to use side of finger - and only ring / little finger. So I always just use left ring finger, the side or end. Only hurts (a little bit) if i push to hard or have setting a bit deep 🙂
Wow! Poor you! I can use the same finger for 8 tests in a day and not be able to tell which one it was the next day. The skin on my hands is pretty thick and numb though with working outdoors a lot.... sadly the lack of sensitivity doesn't extend to when I get keens on my hands which often happens as they are extremely painful. I do find that inserting the needle to inject my insulin is quite painful though sometimes, even in a variety of sites and sometimes the needle doesn't hurt going in but the insulin does.
I use both sides of thumb and fingers, not the pads, on the left hand (I'm right handed). I use setting 3 as 2 did not go deep enough to make enough blood. On the positive side - I still have full sensation!!
I use any finger on either hand, prefer ring and pinkie.
But if they are too painful I will use others. I have never needed to use thumbs or my right hand index finger (yet).
The main thing is to feel OK doing enough tests per day consistent with your Blood Glucose and meals.
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
