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using toe/s for blood sample.

ivm18

ivm18

Well-Known Member
Messages
129
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Insulin
hello, is anyone using their toes for blood sugar checking? how accurate is it?
 
how about a diabetic infant? should parents use their child's fingers all the time?
 
I've heard Dr Bernstein recommend testing children on the buttocks. There is also a pain-free lancet called the "Genteel" that he recommends for children.
 
There are lot's of 'leaflets'on the net from reputable sources that suggest using toes for infants and toddlers is fine and normal practice https://www.childrensmn.org/Manuals/PFS/HomeCare/018321.pdf
The Great Ormond Street guidelines for professionals also includes using toes as well as fingers for children over a year ; but warns to avoid thumb and forefinger . (because needed for fine dexterity) http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/health-professionals/clinical-guidelines/blood-glucose-monitoring
Most say not to test toes in adults. I'm sure that's for the reason INDY suggests but it could also be because the level might not be the same in the fingers and toes . I don't know whether that;s true but certainly in Adults alternate site testing produces results with a time lag ie the level in an arm or a calf is twenty to thirty minutes behind that of the finger tip. That's OK for normal testing but not good in the case of fast falling glucose.
https://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/blood-glucose-monitoring/how-to-test/alternate-site/

Many finger prickers come with a sort of extra head that's supposed to be used for alternative site testing
 
Hi I use my toes occasionally and find it great. Personally it's hard to get blood from most par big toe. I find it gives me a break and sometime more accurate. I have good feet though so I don't know if people have diabetic issues in their feet what it would be like. Some blood testers allow you to take tests in arms or belly to. I've tried but I found getting blood out very hard. Hope this helps
 
I tried using my toes and found it surprisingly painful. When I have to test my daughter (no signs of db but my type is maternally inherited) I take it from her little finger when she's asleep.

Kate
 
phoenix said:
There are lot's of 'leaflets'on the net from reputable sources that suggest using toes for infants and toddlers is fine and normal practice https://www.childrensmn.org/Manuals/PFS/HomeCare/018321.pdf
The Great Ormond Street guidelines for professionals also includes using toes as well as fingers for children over a year ; but warns to avoid thumb and forefinger . (because needed for fine dexterity) http://www.gosh.nhs.uk/health-professionals/clinical-guidelines/blood-glucose-monitoring
Most say not to test toes in adults. I'm sure that's for the reason INDY suggests but it could also be because the level might not be the same in the fingers and toes . I don't know whether that;s true but certainly in Adults alternate site testing produces results with a time lag ie the level in an arm or a calf is twenty to thirty minutes behind that of the finger tip. That's OK for normal testing but not good in the case of fast falling glucose.
https://www.bd.com/us/diabetes/blood-glucose-monitoring/how-to-test/alternate-site/

Many finger prickers come with a sort of extra head that's supposed to be used for alternative site testing
Click to expand...
Those links are very informative, thank you @phoenix appreciate it. :)
 
Thank you for all your helpful information, my friend's child was recently diagnosed, just week ago. She's in total wrecked now being home after staying 3 days in the hospital. She phoned me last night asking loads of questions on managing D, since I have a child with type 1 too. but my boy is a teen, so I've no idea using toes for pricking. She said she felt bad evrytime she needs to poke her baby's lil finger. I texted her all the possible websites to visit for some help. Finger crosses it helps, I feel for my friends grief atm. :(
 
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