User's Manual

2. Getting a blood sample from alternative sites
Important Information About AST
Sites other than fingertips may have fewer nerve endings, so obtaining a blood sample from
these sites may be less painful. The technique for alternative site testing is different from
fingertip testing. However, blood glucose results from sites other than your fingertip could be
significantly different, because blood glucose levels change rapidly after a meal, insulin, or
exercise. Consult with your healthcare provider prior to testing from a site other than your
fingertip. Rapidly changing results are likely to occur after eating. Insulin dosing and physical
activity are shown in the fingertip more quickly than in an alternative sites. The AST results
should never be used to calibrate CGMs or for insulin dose calculations.
AST Precautions
• AST testing should not be done within 2 hours of a meal, exercise, or medication.
• Results from AST testing should not be used to calibrate continuous glucose monitors
(CGMs).
• Results from AST testing should not be used for insulin dosing calculations.
• AST testing should not be done if your AST results do not match the way you feel.
• AST should only be done at times when the patient’s blood glucose is not rising or falling
rapidly.
Things to Know When using alternative sites
Please read the following before testing at alternative sites (palm, forearm, and upper arm).
The capillary whole blood of the fingertips reflects changes in glucose levels more rapidly than
in alternative sites. The test results from the fingertip testing and AST may differ, due to factors
such as lifestyle and ingested food, which affect glucose levels.
Use Alternative Site Testing only When
Use Fingertip Testing
•
Testing before a meal
• You are in a fasting state
• Two hours have passed since a meal
• Two hours have passed since insulin dosing
• Two hours have passed since physical activity
•
Within two hours after a meal
• Within two hours after insulin dosing
• Within two hours after physical activity
• If you have a history of hypoglycemia,
are experiencing low-blood glucose, or
suffer from hypoglycemic
unawareness (you cannot tell when
you have low blood glucose)
• During times of stress or illness
NOTE:
• Results from alternative site and fingertip samples may differ from each other, as there is a
time lag for the glucose levels to reach the same value. Use a fingertip sample if you suffer
from hypoglycemia or have experienced hypoglycemic shock or symptoms.
• If the sample drop of blood runs or spreads due to contact with hair or with lines on your
palm, do not use that sample. Try puncturing again in a smoother area.
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