Testing Sites ?

[bigskygal]

I was changing the drum in my lancet, I always have to look at the directions and saw something I hadn't thought about before. Has anyone tried testing using the pads of your hands? They list this as an alternate site. I'm curious if you have tried this, does it give an accurate result? I'm not sure I want to try it, I buy my own strips, but if it is accurate, I might try it to give my fingers a bit of rest...

[skb]

I took the liberty of moving your post from Chit-Chat to Diabetes/Equipment board as this is a diabetes related question.

In my learning days I have tried and tested all sorts of things which include drawing blood from different parts of the body. Yes, there were variations but I don't remember how much. Maybe, I have it recorded somewhere.

[bigskygal]

Oops! Sorry, I should have looked for a better suited thread. It is late and I probably shouldn't have even done the post until tomorrow. Thanks for any info you may have.

[walkerwally1]

I tried that a few years ago and for me any other site than my finger gave me less accurate results.  My lancing device came with an adapter to use on your palm and I tried it there without very good results.

[bigskygal]

Thanks, I realyl had my doubts and don't want to use up a bunch of strips testing the idea. skb is going to look for some of his results of various testing sites, it will be interesting to see his results.

[skb]

I looked through my records from Aug 2010 (when I started) to 2013.
I found 3 records where I tested from a finger prick and a vein draw for the lab at the same time. Here they are;

March 09 2011 0830 94 Finger / 109 from Vein sample for lab testing
April 30 2011 0820 101 Finger / 107 from Vein sample for lab testing - Lab result 104
June 16 2011 0810 107 Finger / 115 from Vein sample for lab testing - Lab result 81
Sept 30 2011 0730 102 Finger / 110 from Vein sample for lab testing - 30 minutes later

[skb]

Thanks, I realyl had my doubts and don't want to use up a bunch of strips testing the idea.

If you're trying to save up on strips I wouldn't recommend testing other sites. The results are going to vary but they will not lead to any more information other than that. Like I say, "Every test ought to have purpose."

[bigskygal]

LOL, not strips I want to save, it is sore/bruised fingertips. Just a once in a while alternative but if palms aren't as accurate, I'll just deal with the sore fingers.

[skb]

You could go in for a FreeStyle Libre but then that is way too expensive.

[bigskygal]

I don't think my Rx insurance wouldn't cover it. As it is they only cover the One Touch meter and strips.

I just didn't want to use strips testing other sites, I was hoping someone had tried and knew if they were accurate. I'll just stick with the fingers...

[skb]

I was hoping someone had tried and knew if they were accurate. I'll just stick with the fingers...

Indeed I have and indeed there is a difference in numbers, but, beyond the fact that blood is not homogenous it will not tell you anything else.

[bigskygal]

Thanks, it was just a thought. I'll stick with the fingers at least the tests will be consistent.

[walkerwally1]

I tried the FreeStyle Libre a couple of years ago because my doctor suggested it and gave me a prescription for it, you have to have a prescription to get it, and it was not anywhere near as accurate as the finger prick.  It does not measure glucose in the blood but in the interstitial fluid and when I compared results from both at the same time there was a big difference.  In their literature they explained that it took time for the readings to match but I found that no how long I waited the results were never close.  On top of that Medicare will not pay for the FreeStyle Libre unless someone is on insulin so I paid for it myself and it is really expensive.