Why can't I get blood from my fingers?

[Proud to be erratic]

Strange that you and I were diagnosed with near-identical levels (114 & 20.5 for me) but whereas you've been prescribed Gliclazide I was prescribed Metformin, and after a few weeks my DN decided I probably didn't even need that (she was right). Not for the first time no consistency in the NHS.

If you'd seen my DN and I'd seen yours.......

Not so strange, really. We are all different. Other ailments and thus other treatment paths..... Other blood test results...... Known other medical responses, particularly when a patient has a longstanding relationship with a particular GP or Surgery...... Different ethnic backgrounds perhaps....

Those aspects aside, you are correct, @Martin.A, about some noticeable inconsistencies within the medical profession. Presumably these occur from different training backgrounds, different regional/cultural practices. We are a deceptively cosmopolitan society, after decades of immigration, particularly from the (former much larger) Commonwealth. Conversely the NHS has been consistently wrong, for decades, about healthy eating - particularly where fats and oils are in the vocabulary!

 

[Lucyr]

There is nothing in the leaflet that says this only applies to people who have previously had a severe hypo.

See the front page of the leaflet, the advice leaflet you’re reading is for people who need to inform the DVLA

 

[Lucyr]

Normally, I’d say, we 'agree to differ' but in the case of someone potentially falling foul of the law through advice given on this forum, I can’t let it go.

You can’t fall foul of a law that doesn’t exist. If you’re someone that has to notify the DVLA then a condition of your licence is that you sign to agree to test at set times. If you don’t need to notify them then there is no law saying you need to test, simply the suggestion that you could do, and the same laws that apply to everyone about not driving when unwell and unable to safely drive eg hypo.

 

[Tom1982]

What’s to stop you taking a BG reading from your arm or even your head for that matter!? The daughter asked me and I’ve actually no idea.

 

[SB2015]

Hi @debs248 welcome to the forum.

I hope that drawing blood is easier following the suggestions above. Certainly warm hands can help.
The advice that you have been given about which fingers to use is interesting. I was just told to use the sides of the finger pads (not near the nail) which avoid the parts with dense nerves. I have also used the base of my thumb. Anywhere where I can get blood.

I have been known to come in from the garden having cut myself, cleaned up the cut, then with blood still dripping from cut, have pricked my finger to do a test!!!! Didn’t think of using the excess already available.

@Tom1982 ’s question is interesting. I guess you can use anywhere. Heads seem to bleed a lot so perhaps good to avoid any drips! I think that fingers are recommended as the blood vessels are near the surface. Let us know how you get on.

 

[Robin]

What’s to stop you taking a BG reading from your arm or even your head for that matter!? The daughter asked me and I’ve actually no idea.

It is possible, but apparently you get a lag so the results may not be as accurate (and therefore may not be acceptable for driving purposes )
I remember my first accuchek fastclix lancet had a different tip to attach for alternative site testing.

Which alternate site testing (AST) areas can the Accu-Chek Aviva blood glucose monitoring system test?

The Accu-Chek Aviva blood glucose monitoring system will work on the 3 main AST areas: forearm, palm and upper arm. Most common are palm and forearm. AST areas have a lower blood circulation than the fingertip. Therefore a change in blood glucose will show with a delay compared to blood taken...

www.accu-chek.co.uk

 

[helli]

I sometimes find swinging my arms may increase blood flow

Make sure you do the arm swinging before pricking.
I got it the wrong way round once and managed to splatter my white shirt with blood just before I had an important meeting. I looked as if I had slaughtered the last person to disagree with me.

 

[Alan44]

I know we get thread drift from time to time, but the thread title is

"Why can't I get blood from my fingers?"​

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Alan​

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[helli]

I know we get thread drift from time to time, but the thread title is

"Why can't I get blood from my fingers?"​

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Alan​

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(I am not sure how to answer this as doing so is drifting away from the title of the thread. Mods, please delete if my response is likely to upset some members.)

I like it when a thread turns into a natural conversation that may drift away and come back. Members can choose what they read.
Otherwise, we have to start new threads that refer back and this can be equally distracting and unnatural.
This is what I expect from a forum as it is not a Q&A.

 

[Alan44]

(I am not sure how to answer this as doing so is drifting away from the title of the thread. Mods, please delete if my response is likely to upset some members.)

I like it when a thread turns into a natural conversation that may drift away and come back. Members can choose what they read.
Otherwise, we have to start new threads that refer back and this can be equally distracting and unnatural.
This is what I expect from a forum as it is not a Q&A.

I like it when threads drift, it can become interesting, but for new members it can become information overload and stray from the original question very quickly which may not be in the interests of a new member.

 

[debs248]

Strange that you and I were diagnosed with near-identical levels (114 & 20.5 for me) but whereas you've been prescribed Gliclazide I was prescribed Metformin, and after a few weeks my DN decided I probably didn't even need that (she was right). Not for the first time no consistency in the NHS.

If you'd seen my DN and I'd seen yours.......

I've been prescribed metformin too but told to add it after 7 days of just gliclazide. Perhaps because my kidney/ liver numbers were slightly off? Or they think that'll cause less gastric problems? Who knows

Also this was a GP not DN, haven't seen one of them yet.

 

[debs248]

Hi @debs248 welcome to the forum.

Thanks

I have been known to come in from the garden having cut myself, cleaned up the cut, then with blood still dripping from cut, have pricked my finger to do a test!!!! Didn’t think of using the excess already available.

I did seriously think of using a sewing needle as I have no problem accidentally getting a large drop of blood then!

DD was supposed to be going back to uni in London this afternoon but she hasn't finished packing, so hubby will have to drive her tomorrow morning - on the day of the marathon!!!. To say the house is not currently an oasis of calm is an understatement. And to top it all, the next-door neighbours are shouting again, you couldn't really make it up!

Hopefully things will become less stressful, I'll be able to rest and rehydrate and then try again

I don't mind going off topic but I have no plans to drive this week so don't need any more advice about the DVLA right now

Thank you everyone who offered advice as well btw.

 

[Tom1982]

Thanks


I did seriously think of using a sewing needle as I have no problem accidentally getting a large drop of blood then!

DD was supposed to be going back to uni in London this afternoon but she hasn't finished packing, so hubby will have to drive her tomorrow morning - on the day of the marathon!!!. To say the house is not currently an oasis of calm is an understatement. And to top it all, the next-door neighbours are shouting again, you couldn't really make it up!

Hopefully things will become less stressful, I'll be able to rest and rehydrate and then try again

I don't mind going off topic but I have no plans to drive this week so don't need any more advice about the DVLA right now

Thank you everyone who offered advice as well btw.

Probably a stupid thing to say but have you adjusted the depth of the finger pricker?

 

[TwilightMidna]

@debs248, I really struggled with getting enough blood when I was first diagnosed too. There’s some great suggestions in this thread. I’m not sure how you’re trying to get blood out but I was squeezing the tip of my finger at the start, and the nurse at my surgery said to squeeze the finger from further up, almost like “milking” the finger. That seems to really help! My fingers seem to have got used to giving up blood these days and I no longer have any trouble. I hope it’ll get easier for you as time goes on too! 🙂

 

[mashedupmatt]

If you are still having problems after trying these great tips everyone has given, you could consider changing your lancing device to something more adjustable - Accu-Chek Fastclix one is the one I use (after several recommendations on here) and I find it miles better than the generic one supplied with the lancets - once you've got the depth right you should always get enough blood and it has always been painless for me


You need to get the lancets too because it only comes with a cartridge of 6, which come in boxes of 204 (odd amount!) so last ages

They can be found on Amazon or various other websites

 

[debs248]

Probably a stupid thing to say but have you adjusted the depth of the finger pricker?

Not at all stupid. I've tried every setting from halfway to deepest on "my" pricker, and went straight for the deepest on the one I'm borrowing.

My turn for potential stupidity - am I wrong in assuming deeper setting = more blood?

 

[debs248]

@debs248, I really struggled with getting enough blood when I was first diagnosed too. There’s some great suggestions in this thread. I’m not sure how you’re trying to get blood out but I was squeezing the tip of my finger at the start, and the nurse at my surgery said to squeeze the finger from further up, almost like “milking” the finger. That seems to really help! My fingers seem to have got used to giving up blood these days and I no longer have any trouble. I hope it’ll get easier for you as time goes on too! 🙂

I've tried what I think is milking from the palm downwards but no joy, not 100% sure I'm doing it right though as I've not seen anyone else do it.

 

[debs248]

If you are still having problems after trying these great tips everyone has given, you could consider changing your lancing device to something more adjustable - Accu-Chek Fastclix one is the one I use (after several recommendations on here) and I find it miles better than the generic one supplied with the lancets - once you've got the depth right you should always get enough blood and it has always been painless for me
View attachment 35093

You need to get the lancets too because it only comes with a cartridge of 6, which come in boxes of 204 (odd amount!) so last ages
View attachment 35094
They can be found on Amazon or various other websites

This is priceless (not laughing at you). I actually have 204 of these lancets due to a cockup by my surgery - they don't match the device they gave me. Hopefully I won't need to buy one but good to know just in case - thanks!

 

[Alan44]

All I can add is the way I do it which works for me.

Shake hands and the rub together, wash in warm water and dry.

My lancing device is set to 3, so mid way

Stab chosen finger (whilst saying sorry to it) and gentle rub with a slight squeeze down from the top knuckle to the bottom of the finger, the amount of blood I get can vary, but is always enough.

Alan

 

[silentsquirrel]

A slightly different technique which I don't think has been mentioned in this thread, I have only seen it a couple of times on the forum: if you get a tiny drop of blood on pricking a finger and from past experience you are pretty sure it won't be enough, rather than 'milk' the finger from below, place your two thumbs either side of the puncture and gently pull apart. This has often been very successful for me. Worth a try!