A finger stick blood sugar test is the most common way for people with diabetes to get insight into how foods, medications, physical activity, and other variables affect their blood sugar levels, and how to take action.
Why do diabetics test on their fingers?
Fingertips are traditionally used for blood glucose testing because they have many capillaries, and will usually provide a large enough drop of blood to get a reading from a blood glucose meter.
Do you have to use finger for blood sugar test?
Recommended finger: the World Health Organisation recommends the middle or ring fingers are used for blood glucose tests (second and third fingers). You may want to avoid using your little finger due to the skin being thin.
Why do they take blood from your finger?
Fingerstick blood testing is an approach that minimizes the stress and pain associated with venous blood draws. With venous blood draws, a phlebotomist uses a needle to puncture the patient’s vein and direct the blood into glass tubes. The tubes typically contains citrate additives that prevent coagulation.
Can squeezing finger affect blood sugar?
(In general, guidelines advise against squeezing the finger too hard to get a blood drop because it may distort blood sugar readings.) Overall, the study found, clean hands are still key.
Which hand is more accurate for blood sugar?
The right arm was higher 96% of the time and was half as likely to detect glucose levels outside the 70-140 mg/dL range compared to the left arm.
Why is it not advisable to squeeze the finger after pricking?
Avoid squeezing the finger or heel too tightly because this dilutes the specimen with tissue fluid (plasma) and increases the probability of haemolysis (60). When the blood collection procedure is complete, apply firm pressure to the site to stop the bleeding.
Why is my blood sugar reading different in different fingers?
Contamination of the fingers is a common culprit in blood sugar reading variability. That’s because it only takes a little bit of food residue on your hands to impact blood glucose levels. For example, just touching a banana or cutting a piece of fruit can send your numbers sky high.
Why is it important to wipe away the first drop of blood?
Discarding the first drop of blood and refraining from squeezing the finger makes measurements more complex and necessitates deeper and more painful punctures.
Why is it important to wipe the first drop of blood?
The first drop of blood from a lancing site contains a greater volume of platelets, which could make the lancing site seal up before enough blood was obtained for the test, and the dual wipe ensured a longer, larger flow of blood.
CONTINUE READING BELOW
What can cause a false high glucose reading?
8 factors that can give an inaccurate blood sugar reading
- 01/98 factors that can give an inaccurate blood sugar reading. …
- 02/9Expired test strips. …
- 03/9Extreme temperature can give inaccurate readings. …
- 04/9Sugar, dirt or alcohol on your fingers. …
- 05/9Wet fingers. …
- 06/9Dirty meter. …
- 07/9If you are dehydrated.
Are finger sticks accurate for blood sugar?
Fingerstick testing is still the most accurate reflection of sugar levels in the blood stream. It’s a good idea to discuss meter selection with your health care provider or diabetes educator.