Alternate Site Testing

Sites other than your fingertip may have fewer nerve endings, so obtaining a blood sample from these sites may be less painful. The technique for alternate site testing is different from fingertip testing. Blood glucose results from sites other than the fingertip could be significantly different due to blood glucose levels changing rapidly after a meal, insulin, or exercise.

Consult your diabetes healthcare professional prior to testing from a site other than your fingertips.

Consider Alternate Site Testing when:

• testing before a meal.
• you are in a fasting state.
• two hours have passed since a meal.
• 2 hours have passed since insulin dosing.
• 2 hours have passed since physical activity.