Getting a Good Drop of Blood
Fingertip
Wash your hands and dry them well. It helps to massage the fingertip to stimulate blood flow.
Gently squeeze your finger at the knuckle, then release, squeeze, then release. This helps to
increase the blood flow. You can let your hand hang by your side to increase blood flow.
Alternative Site Testing (AST)
You have the option of obtaining a blood sample from other sites on your body besides
the fingertip. Blood obtained from a fingertip or palm can be used at any time to measure
blood glucose. The two palm testing sites are the fleshy
areas under the thumb (thenar) and under the little finger
(hypothenar). If blood from an alternative site such as the
forearm, upper arm, thigh or calf is used, there are certain
times when testing is not appropriate (see next pages).
This is because your glucose level changes quicker in
your fingertip or palm than in the alternative sites. These
differences may cause you to make the wrong therapeutic
decision producing adverse health effects. Please read the
following section before you try testing from other sites.
thenar
hypothenar
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