Squeezing base of finger affecting blood glucose?
First things first, I am not a diabetic, I am not taking insulin or any other medication. My doctor has me monitoring my blood sugar with a glucose meter because I’m pregnant but I can’t take an oral glucose tolerance test (I have periodic paralysis, and glucose is a trigger). There have been a few things going on with my testing that I’m confused about.
Lately I’ve been getting pretty low post-meal results from my blood glucose meter (usually below 90). I often end up doubting the results and repeat the test, only to get a similar response. I’ve tested my meter with control solutions, so I know it’s not the meter. I’ve been told not to squeeze the tip of the finger after I prick myself, but too many times I prick myself and don’t get any/enough blood, so I sometimes squeeze the base of my finger (near the palm) instead, or I bend the finger, which gives me a little blood. Could that be throwing off the reading?
Also, since I can’t consistently get blood out of my fingers, I’ve tried dialing up the number on my lancet, but that hasn’t given me more blood consistently, either. Usually I wash my hands with warm water, hang my hands downwards to encourage blood flow, squeeze my hand from wrist to near the tip (just below the knuckle point), then prick, but even then, half the time I can’t get enough blood out of my fingers. Anyone have any tips on how to get blood every time? Thanks a lot.
Filed under: Blood Glucose
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I’m a diabetic, and I don’t even get blood every time.
No, squeezing the finger doesn’t affect the reading. It did in the older meters, but not in the newer ones.
Have you considered a meter that allows for alternate site testing? There are several meters that will allow you to test on your palm, forearm, leg, etc. Some people have more success with those.
Also, what kind of lancet / lancing device do you use? I’ve got an AccuCheck MultiClix that has a thinner lancet, and so I’ve dialed it even a couple of settings higher than I had my old OneTouch lancing device. That seems to help out. Like I said, I still don’t get blood every time.
Usually, I’ll prick one, squeeze a little.. if I can’t get blood, I’ll prick another. I usually jsut give up after 3 or 4 tries, saying "it’s not meant to be." Hehe.
I’m diabetic. I have a great finger pricker that always works for me. Try these tips though. Before you prick yourself, squeeze your finger from base to tip. Try to prick it on the side where the skin is softer. Use lotion a lot so your skin is softer so the lancet goes through quicker. Change your lancet often so it is not blunt.