Needle in the lancet

[Suagrrush39]

Hello everyone,

I have just been told I have type 2 diabetes but the doctors will not give me a blood check machine so I was wondering how often people here change the needles in the lancet.

Also could anyone tell me how often the doctors say you need to change it?

Thank you in advance

 

[Oldvatr]

Many of us here myself included only change lancets when either someone else is usimg it or when it gets blunt, A pack of 50 lancets survives a couple of years in my house. The medics will say change every time you use it. Make sure you clean the site before use to remove contaminants.

 

[Lobsang Tsultim]

The advice leaflet that came with my device said to change it for every test; I don't do that
I tend to change it when it gets blunt or every 50 tests or so (when I open a new container of test strips). If I was to test someone else, I'd definitely change it before their test and after.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

The official advice is to change it every test.
I was told to change it every other test.
I know some who change it on St Swithans Day or 29th February.

I actual change it when it starts hurting which is about once a fortnight.
Obviously, if I test someone else, I will always give then a new lancet.

 

[Finnlee]

I pop in a new lancet every 2-3 tests.

I'm type 1, so I will be doing this for decades. I'd rather keep my fingers in the best condition possible and new lancets help that (as does a CGM).

Some people subscribe to the saying 'It's daylight saving day - time to change your clocks... and your lancet!'

 

[RoughcutAU]

I’m one of those few that change it every test. The only time I don’t usually is when treating a hypo - in that case I re-use the original lancet and then discard.

 

[Zhnyaka]

I'm trying to remember the last time I changed the needle in the lancet

 

[Ushthetaff]

Seeing as I’m using a libre I’ll probably change mine now when nelson gets his eye back., but seriously like other I always used mine til they hurt , they say you should change them every time same as with insulin pen needles , I don’t do it with them either ! I remember the time when they use to tell us when the old glass and metal syringes were about ( oh god am I that old) change the needles when they are blunt , oh how things have changed

 

[TooSweetForMe]

I change mine and my Mom's needles once a week, on Sundays. Even put it on my calendar (we have 2 different lancets) or before and after we check another person.

 

[lucylocket61]

When they get blunt. I am self funding my blood glucose meter and strips, lancets etc.

 

[Outlier]

I test 3-4 times a week, and change the lancet roughly once a month.

 

[DEBBIESCOTT]

I use a new lancet every time, mine are funded though

 

[Susan Haines]

I've only been testing for less than two weeks, but I've gotten into the habit of changing it every day.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. There is no good reason to change it every time which is what the NHS recommends. Like most others I do mine around once a month.

 

[lucylocket61]

I also want to mention my concern from an environmental perspective. So much plastic. It all adds up. So I do what I can to limit the waste my conditions generate, which includes reusing lancets. Every small thing matters

 

[Suagrrush39]

Thanks for all the responses, so I think I am going wait until it hurts more.

 

[MrsA2]

Mine is an average of about every 6 months, but I only test once a day now. I did change it and test more often in the beginning.
As with everything else diabetes, its what suits you, your body and your pocket

 

[Riva_Roxaban]

I use a Accu Chek Fast Clix lancing device that holds a six lancet magazine, I dial a new lancet in every time I open a new tub of fifty strips.

I use a free Contour Next, subsidied strips at $1.20 for 100, lancets are cheap as well.

As the lancets are enclosed when changed they are safe to throw in the bin.

 

[Omar51]

Lancets are cheap and I use twice only, it’s just part of my routine, like washing hands thoroughly.

 

[michita]

I change it maybe once a year ….