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Glucose testing with cold hands

prettypurplenotebook

Newbie
Messages
2
Location
Wigan
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi!!

On many occasions my hands are cold and won't give me anywhere near enough blood to test with. Does anyone else have this issue and is there anything else i can do to enable me to test a little easier?
 
If you are washing your hands before testing then the warm water should heat them up, if out I rub them together or tuck the hand under armpit, simples.
 
I have cold hands and at first had trouble with testing, but now the blood appears obligingly. As above, warm water will help if it's available and you're washing your hands anyway, or just wave your arms around energetically (but, er, privately I would suggest)
 
I always wash my hands in hot water before doing mine but I can still take 3 attempts! If it doesn't work then I give up as, being Type 2 diet only, it's not too much of a problem if I miss a reading.
 
Start dancing around the room lol. Boosts your mood and your veins lol. Hope this helps.
 
prettypurplenotebook said:
Hi!!

On many occasions my hands are cold and won't give me anywhere near enough blood to test with. Does anyone else have this issue and is there anything else i can do to enable me to test a little easier?
Click to expand...
I find I either need to set the lancet slightly deeper or hang my arm by my side and milk my finger like the udder of a reluctant cow.
 
prettypurplenotebook said:
Hi!!

On many occasions my hands are cold and won't give me anywhere near enough blood to test with. Does anyone else have this issue and is there anything else i can do to enable me to test a little easier?
Click to expand...
MY DSN recently told me i had been pushing blood our of my fingers wrong for 10+ years, i had been squeesing the top of the finger, which just never worked when im cold. she told me to squeeze bottom up like toothpaste, this seems to work a little better.
 
This can't have been the first time you've had cold hands. Just intertwine your fingers in both hands, rotate your wrists and if you must use water (at least to wash your testing finger thoroughly) do so in warm water, NOT hot. EVER.
 
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