same finger

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
same finger
8
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 11:42am
How come you can try 3 differnt fingers at the same time and get different readings.I always wash my hand with hot water and soap before i test.
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: julieh2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 7:52pm

Julie,


It has to do with the minute differences in the amount of blood being wicked into the meter. They should all be in the same range though. The other day I tested my sugar and didn't believe the reading so I tested again. The results were only 3 points apart which isn't clinically signifcant. If there is a huge variation then you need to calibrate the meter and check your technique.


But why in the world are you testing three fingers at the same time? This surely must hurt because with each poke the lancet is getting duller and duller. You really don't need to test more than once 99.9 percent of the time.

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2003
In reply to: julieh2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 8:11pm
A couple of times when i have got a low reading my husband said to test again as it did not sound right, it normally has gone up or down by 5 or 10 points.


Edited 4/1/2004 9:13 pm ET ET by julieh2003
Avatar for happyscrapper40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: julieh2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 9:39pm
I always use a fresh lancet every time I test, even if I have to poke my finger twice to get a sufficient sample. I have seen posts where other use the lancet over and over again several times. What is the proper procedure for testing? I also wash my hands with warm water and soap, and use an alcohol wipe too. This is what the pharmasist told me when he taught me to use my meter. Am I wasting money? Don't have a lot of spare money now that I am diabetic, so there is not any to waste! LOL Michele H.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
In reply to: julieh2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 10:44pm

Hi Michele! Though I'm not Mary Frances whom you directed your question to, I'll give you the information I was given upon my diagnosis in January from my doctor, nurse and CDE.


It is no longer recommended or necessary to use an alcohol wipe on your fingers because they are so drying. If however, you do choose to use them, you are to wait until the alcohol is completely dry before testing. Washing with warm water and soap is perfectly acceptable, being sure to dry thoroughly. I was told by the nurse who gave me my lesson on using my meter that they *are* to tell you to only use the lancet once before disposing of it, but that it's fine to use them multiple times. Of course you should use the lancet only on yourself so as not to contaminate it with someone else's blood. She said some people use the same one for up to a month. I've found I can use the same lancet for 3 days (6 tests) before it starts to get dull enough to where it's not so pain free.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
In reply to: julieh2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 10:45pm
My CDE and PA said not to use alcohol swabs. It changes the reading. However, you should wash your hands in warm water prior to testing. It brings the blood closer to the surface. I wouldn't use the lancet more than once although I have tested using the same one 2x a couple of times. They get dull with repeated use. Besides, there's a change of infection with repeated uses.


Edited 4/3/2004 11:30 pm ET ET by kathi313
Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: julieh2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 1:09pm

Julie,


That is within the normal variation you can expect and isn't significant. So now that you have done this several times you know to trust the results and not to have to do that very often.

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: julieh2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 1:12pm

If you have washed your hands with warm soapy water for a sufficent amount of time, you really don't need the alcohol sponge and it has the potential of changing your results slightly. How long should you wash your hands? The short answer is long enough to sing the happy birthday song to yourself twice.


Other than that, I think you are using wonderful technique.

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


Avatar for happyscrapper40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: julieh2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 4:17pm
Thanks. Now if I can figure out how to wash my hands and brush my teeth at the same time, I will be able to save time in the morning! Have a great weekend~! Michele H.