Skip to content

Fingerprick tests

Fingerprick tests are a type 2 diabetic's secret superpower.

What are fingerprick tests?

They're a way for you to monitor your diabetes at home. By getting a tiny drop of blood (usually from your fingers) and placing it on a test strip, you can see what your current blood glucose is.

Why you should test

Diabetics injecting insulin need to monitor their glucose carefully. Everyone else doesn't have to test. In the UK, the NHS generally doesn't prescribe test kits unless you're on insulin. In my case, the nurse never even mentioned the possibility of home testing. And testing is not fun. Some people find it more uncomfortable than others: I was very nervous about it, and still find it painful. Though I know people who claim it doesn't hurt.

But: testing is, in my opinion, absolutely crucial. It allows you to monitor your own progress, and to check what approaches work for you.

For instance, there is a lot of (sometimes contradictory) diet advice out there. By testing, you can check how you respond to different foods, and figure out a diet that works for you. You can also check how you respond to exercise, whether your sugars are elevated overnight, and so on.

Without being able to test, you're stuck blindly following advice, and waiting for an HbA1C every three or six months to see how you're doing.

Equipment

You need the following equipment:

  • A glucose meter: this is the electronic device that takes the measurement.
  • Test strips (make sure you get ones compatible with your glucose meter).
  • A lancing device: this is the thing that sticks the lancet into your skin.
  • Lancets: the actual sharp bit.
  • A sharps bin: this is a special bin for disposing of lancets. You can get one from a pharmacy, and take it back there when it's full.

If you're buying your own equipment, the biggest ongoing expense is the test strips, so it's worth checking which meter has the cheapest strips.

When I was getting my kit, this GlucoNavii starter kit seemed the best option - but prices may change so do your own shopping around.

Method

These are the standard steps:

  1. Follow the setup instructions for your meter and lancing device.
  2. Wash your hands in warm water.
  3. Place the lancing device against the side of your fingertip.
  4. Press the button on the lancing device. DON'T PANIC.
  5. Allow a blood drop to form. If necessary massage the finger slightly.
  6. Place the blood drop on the test strip, and wait for the meter to give you a number. You can read more about metrics and target numbers in Oh no, numbers!.

If it's your first time using the lancing device, try it on the shallowest setting first and work up.

Dealing with the fear

I was terrified about fingerprick tests. I am, admittedly, a wimp. The approach that worked for me was to gradually build up to my hands. I felt the lancing device wasn't "controlled" (it really is). This process gave me a sense of control.

  1. Put the lancing device on the shallowest setting.
  2. Try it on your thigh. You don't get a useful reading here, but in my head this was a less scary area.
  3. Adjust the depth setting, and if necessary press harder, until you manage to get blood out of your thigh.
  4. Now repeat this process on your arm.
  5. Now move to your hand. I tend to use the palm near the thumb rather than the fingertips (I am still a wimp).

Alternate site testing

Alternate site testing is taking blood from somewhere other than your hand. The reason the hand is preferred is because it has the most up-to-date information: the capilliaries in your hand best reflect the current level of glucose in your system. For calculating an insulin dose, this is essential. However, for general monitoring, being exactly current isn't as big of a deal.

For example: through testing and comparing, I figured out that my arm is usually about 15 minutes behind my hands. Because I found my arm hurt less, and as I just wanted to track a general range, I quite often use my arm for testing.

Alternatives to fingerprick tests

There are alternatives to fingerpricks for monitoring glucose at home. Flash glucose monitors and continuous glucose monitors work using patches on your arm, which you either scan ("flash") with a reader, or which can send alerts to your phone. In the UK, the main brand is the FreeStyle Libre.

Using a CGM is generally more expensive than fingerprick testing, but it is an option.