Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring - Is It Best to Use the First or the Second Drop of Blood?
Blood glucose self-monitoring is an important tool in managing diabetes.
When you test your levels, do you use the first or the second drop of blood? If you use either, is there a significant difference? These questions may look trivial but a research study conducted by Johanna Hortensius et al of the Netherlands revealed that there is a variance when you use the first or second drop of blood.
It was published in "Diabetes Care" of the American Diabetes Association in February 2011.
Specifically, the research study investigated whether there is a 10 % or more difference in the capillary concentration of the first or second drop of blood if compared with a control glucose concentrate.
The study involved 123 patients with diabetes.
Capillary glucose concentrations of the first and second were measured.
Consequently, they were compared to readings of the control in the following conditions: 1.
Without washing hands 2.
After exposing hands to fruit 3.
After application of different amounts of external pressure such as squeezing around the finger The Results of the Study For those who didn't wash their hands, the findings revealed that there was a 10 % or more difference in the first drops by 11% of participants and the second drop by 4% when compared with the glucose control solution.
Among participants whose fingers were exposed to fruit, the findings show that in 10%, the first had a 10% or more difference when compared with the control.
The second show that 11% of the participants had a difference of 10% or more.
External pressure around the finger yielded the most percentage of participants whose blood sugar readings had crucial differences with the control in both drops of blood.
55% of particpants' first drops had a 10% or more difference and 13% of participants' second drops had a 10% or more difference.
What to Use So, out of this finding what's best? Also, what is the best thing to do before you prick your finger? The study recommended that the best practice is to wash the hands with soap and water; dry your hands well, prick that finger and use the first drop of blood for blood glucose monitoring.
Now, if you can't wash your hands and they aren't visibly dirty or soiled or they aren't exposed to sugar containing products such as fruit or cookies you can use the second drop of blood after you wipe off the first drop.
Avoid external pressure such as squeezing, biting or massaging the finger to coax out blood.
This maneuver gives an unreliable result.
Remember also to use fresh and clean strips and that your glucose meter is in tip top shape and regularly calibrated using a control solution, and the battery is in good running condition.
An accurate reading is crucial.
Your blood glucose readings tells you how well your diet, your medications (whether it is insulin, anti-diabetic pills or both), and your exercise regimen have been effective in controlling your diabetes.
Always make sure you do it right!
When you test your levels, do you use the first or the second drop of blood? If you use either, is there a significant difference? These questions may look trivial but a research study conducted by Johanna Hortensius et al of the Netherlands revealed that there is a variance when you use the first or second drop of blood.
It was published in "Diabetes Care" of the American Diabetes Association in February 2011.
Specifically, the research study investigated whether there is a 10 % or more difference in the capillary concentration of the first or second drop of blood if compared with a control glucose concentrate.
The study involved 123 patients with diabetes.
Capillary glucose concentrations of the first and second were measured.
Consequently, they were compared to readings of the control in the following conditions: 1.
Without washing hands 2.
After exposing hands to fruit 3.
After application of different amounts of external pressure such as squeezing around the finger The Results of the Study For those who didn't wash their hands, the findings revealed that there was a 10 % or more difference in the first drops by 11% of participants and the second drop by 4% when compared with the glucose control solution.
Among participants whose fingers were exposed to fruit, the findings show that in 10%, the first had a 10% or more difference when compared with the control.
The second show that 11% of the participants had a difference of 10% or more.
External pressure around the finger yielded the most percentage of participants whose blood sugar readings had crucial differences with the control in both drops of blood.
55% of particpants' first drops had a 10% or more difference and 13% of participants' second drops had a 10% or more difference.
What to Use So, out of this finding what's best? Also, what is the best thing to do before you prick your finger? The study recommended that the best practice is to wash the hands with soap and water; dry your hands well, prick that finger and use the first drop of blood for blood glucose monitoring.
Now, if you can't wash your hands and they aren't visibly dirty or soiled or they aren't exposed to sugar containing products such as fruit or cookies you can use the second drop of blood after you wipe off the first drop.
Avoid external pressure such as squeezing, biting or massaging the finger to coax out blood.
This maneuver gives an unreliable result.
Remember also to use fresh and clean strips and that your glucose meter is in tip top shape and regularly calibrated using a control solution, and the battery is in good running condition.
An accurate reading is crucial.
Your blood glucose readings tells you how well your diet, your medications (whether it is insulin, anti-diabetic pills or both), and your exercise regimen have been effective in controlling your diabetes.
Always make sure you do it right!
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