User's Manual

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Usually, when someone tests their glucose, they take the blood
sample from the tip of the finger. However, since there are
many nerve endings distributed there, it is quite painful. When
doing a glucose test, using different parts of the body such as
the arms, palms, thighs, and calves can reduce the pain during
testing. This method of testing with different parts of the body is
called Alternative Site Testing. While AST may reduce the pain
during testing, it may not be simple for everyone and the following
precautions should be observed during testing.
Alternative Site for Testing
What is AST(Alternative Site Testing)?
Alternative Site Testing
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• When the glucose levels are rapidly increasing
during the two hours after a meal or exercise
• When sick or when glucose levels seem quite lower
than test value
• When hypoglycemia is not well recognized
• When insulin has the biggest effect
• 2 hours after an insulin injection
Situations requiring fingertip test
Acceptable situations for AST
• Fasting period
• Before a meal
• Before sleeping
Please understand the following things before testing outside of
the fingertip (arms, thighs, calves).
The capillary blood of the fingertip shows the change in glucose
more rapidly than AST. Therefore, the test results from the
fingertip test and AST may differ. This is because things such as
lifestyle and ingested food have an effect on glucose levels.
Things to know when using AST