Testing for normal blood sugar

Part 2: Painless blood glucose testing

Anyone who is, or suspects they might be, diabetic, should check their blood glucose levels from time to time. This is the only way to find out what is going on, and to measure progress (or lack of it).

This check is done with a meter, such as an AccuChek, which can be bought at any pharmacy.

To do this test, you prick a finger, put a sample of blood on a slide and insert it into the meter to measure the glucose content. It’s easy and quick, but the one thing that might put you off is that pricking your finger can be painful.

Where to test

It’s pricking the pad of the finger that hurts. The least painful spot to do a blood glucose test is on the side of your finger, just beside the nail.

If you need to do several tests a day, use different fingers to avoid one finger taking all the punishment.

Also, be sure to adjust the depth of your lancet to the shallowest depth that works. This is probably position 1 and that is where you should start. If that setting it is too shallow to draw blood, adjust it up one notch and try again.

There’s no need to use alcohol

Obviously, if your hand is dirty, you should wash first. But there is no need to sterilise your skin with alcohol before testing. Your bacteria won’t hurt you. Dr. Richard Bernstein, with many years experience, reports that neither he nor his patients have ever developed infections when not using alcohol.

The use of alcohol can have detrimental effects: It can toughen your skin, making it harder to draw blood.

Reusing lancets

If you are the only person using your lancet device there is no need to change it for each test. Using a lancet for a month or more is quite safe.

BUT you should never share a lancet with another person! Sharing lancets could spread blood-borne diseases. Never violate this policy.