Blood Testing

[herts1]

Hi, my mother (late 70s) has been diagnosed with diabetes recently. She's bought a blood-testing kit and is taking her blood at home.

She's pricking the needle into the top part of one of her fingers, but is having trouble getting enough blood out.

What other places on the body can be used to do the test?

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hello and welcome,

No other part of the body as this will give inconsistent results. She needs to use all her fingers alternately and try to prick the side of the top bit rather than the tip. To get more blood, her hands need to be warm. It is a good idea to wash thoroughly in warm water, rinse under running warm water and dry carefully. If she rubs her fingers with her towel this may help, also shaking the hands vigorously and holding them downwards. I also blow on mine at the moment as it is such cold weather.

 

[herts1]

Thanks for this information.

 

[hankjam]

Hello and welcome,

No other part of the body as this will give inconsistent results. She needs to use all her fingers alternately and try to prick the side of the top bit rather than the tip. To get more blood, her hands need to be warm. It is a good idea to wash thoroughly in warm water, rinse under running warm water and dry carefully. If she rubs her fingers with her towel this may help, also shaking the hands vigorously and holding them downwards. I also blow on mine at the moment as it is such cold weather.

Hi BlueTit, in relation to the nail, beside, rather than behind. I must say I use the tip as getting blood out from elsewhere is really tricky for me... and my hands always feel cold... thanks Aj

 

[Bluetit1802]

Hi BlueTit, in relation to the nail, beside, rather than behind. I must say I use the tip as getting blood out from elsewhere is really tricky for me... and my hands always feel cold... thanks Aj

I find it tricky to aim the lancet. I use a Fastclix, which as a drum containing 6 hidden lancets. You can never judge exactly where the lancet in use is going to prick!