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Blood Glucose Tests
4
Performing a Blood Glucose Test with Blood from Your Palm, Forearm, or Upper
Arm (Alternate Site Testing)
WARNING
Do not use Alternate Site Testing to calibrate a continuous glucose monitoring system or to make
insulin dosing calculations.
You have the option of obtaining a blood sample from other sites on your body besides the fingertip.
Alternate sites include the palm, forearm, and upper arm.
Blood obtained from the fingertip can be used at any time to test blood glucose.
If blood from an alternate site is used, there are certain times when testing is not appropriate. This is
because your blood glucose level changes faster in your fingertip than in the alternate sites. These
dierences may cause you to misinterpret your actual blood glucose level, leading to improper therapy
and potential adverse health eects.
Read the next section before you try testing from alternate sites.
You may
perform a palm,
forearm, or
upper arm test
• immediately before a meal.
• while fasting.
You may NOT
perform a palm,
forearm, or
upper arm test
• up to 2hours following a meal, when blood glucose values can rise quickly.
• after injecting bolus insulin, when blood glucose values can decrease rapidly.
• after exercise.
• if you are sick.
• if you think your blood glucose is low (hypoglycemia).
• if you sometimes do not notice when your blood glucose is low.
If you are interested in AST, talk to your healthcare professional first.
To obtain an AST cap and detailed AST instructions, contact the ACCU-CHEK Customer Care Service Center
at 1-800-858-8072.
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