You might have heard that the many advances occurring with some of the blood glucose meters allow you to perform blood test monitoring on different parts of your body, like the palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, or even calf.
Because the skin of these other parts of your body contains fewer nerves, testing can feel much more comfortable. This is what is called Alternative Site Testing, or AST. It's vital to know that while blood from your fingertip can be tested at anytime, there are times when testing from alternative sites aren’t ideal. That's why you should get the information about alternative site testing and talk with your doctor prior to your decision of alternative testing.
Let's go info further detail:
So, alternative site testing is recommended when blood sugar is stable, such as:
Times when alternative site testing isn't recommended:
The only exception should be fingertip tests.
Please note: Please talk to your doctor prior to trying alternative sites other than your fingertip for testing blood sugar.
I find the best place to use alternative testing is the palm next to the thumb. You can try other approved alternative sites and see which one works the best for you.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar), Diabetes Testing and Driving
Because hypoglycemia can effect your driving performance (even modestly low blood sugar can do this), if you are at all prone to hypoglycemia, I personally would strongly recommend you check out your blood sugar level each time you are about to drive.
Prior to you putting the key in the ignition, test your blood sugar. There are some great glucometers out there, like the Accu-Check Compact with the Accu-Check Multi-clix lancet pen.
The Accu-Check Compact has a 17 strip drum inside so you don't have to take any extra strips with you. The Accu-Check Multi-clix lancet pen has a drum that automatically holds 6 lancets within the pen to use quickly and easily. If your blood sugar is low, treat yourself to some juice or hard candy and don't drive until your blood sugar is back to normal. Then try and eat a small meal, like a low fat cheese and/or turkey sandwich.
Usually in 15 minutes taking 15-20 grams of Carbohydrate (CHO) will usually bring up your blood sugar to normal range. You can have a 4-6 ounce glass of juice, glucose tablets or 2-3 pieces of hard candy. Don't overdo it because your blood sugar will then go sky high. If it doesn't return within normal limits in 15 minutes, repeat the 15-20 grams of CHO and then check your blood sugar in 15 minutes.
Usually if your blood sugar is above 80 mg/dl, you should feel fine but sometimes going above 100 mg/dl, you'll feel better. You should always follow with a small meal that contains CHO, protein that contains a small amount of fat.
I tell my father to put 2-3 peppermint candy right in his pocket and have a supply of hard candy or peppermint candy always stashed in his car. It is best if you eat 6-8 small meals a day. This would include a CHO, protein food that contains a little fat included. Example would be a cheese sandwich that contains 1 or 2 slices of bread, a cheese that is low fat or turkey low in fat but not fat free. The protein and fat does help to stabilize your blood sugar over a period of time instead of a quick spike in your blood sugar and a quick drop in blood sugar like juice would do.
During your trip if you need to take an insulin injection or an oral blood sugar medication, and then make sure you eat as prescribed with your medication, otherwise your blood sugar can go low. I will be writing about how insulin and certain oral blood sugar medications can make your sugar go low. Not all insulin, esp. Lantus, or oral diabetic medications make your blood sugar low.
Signs of Hypoglycemia:
Now you can also have problems driving if your blood sugar is over 200 mg/dl. The police officer told me that a diabetic's license can be revoked if an accident is caused by diabetes. I don't know if that is true but why risk losing your license altogether if this is the case. When it comes to driving: if in doubt, check out your blood sugar & eat!
Because the skin of these other parts of your body contains fewer nerves, testing can feel much more comfortable. This is what is called Alternative Site Testing, or AST. It's vital to know that while blood from your fingertip can be tested at anytime, there are times when testing from alternative sites aren’t ideal. That's why you should get the information about alternative site testing and talk with your doctor prior to your decision of alternative testing.
Let's go info further detail:
- In comparison with your fingertip, you might see differences in blood sugar results from the palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, or even calf.
- Blood taken from the fingertip shows changes in blood sugar levels faster than blood taken from the other sites of the body.
- These differences in blood sugar occur because the fingertips have more blood vessels than the alternative sites.
So, alternative site testing is recommended when blood sugar is stable, such as:
- When fasting
- Near bedtime
Times when alternative site testing isn't recommended:
- 2 hours following a meal, when blood sugar values are rising quickly
- After exercise
- When you think your blood sugar is incredibly low or falling quickly (hypoglycemia)
- If you have a history of not noticing when you have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- During the peak action time of the basal insulin
- Up to 2 hours after when injecting rapid-acting insulin
- If you check your blood sugar and the blood sugar test doesn't match the way you feel, then you should perform a fingertip to confirm your result.
- Don't change your course of action based on just 1 blood sugar result.
- Your success in getting an adequate drop of blood from alternate sites will deviate.
The only exception should be fingertip tests.
Please note: Please talk to your doctor prior to trying alternative sites other than your fingertip for testing blood sugar.
I find the best place to use alternative testing is the palm next to the thumb. You can try other approved alternative sites and see which one works the best for you.
Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar), Diabetes Testing and Driving
Because hypoglycemia can effect your driving performance (even modestly low blood sugar can do this), if you are at all prone to hypoglycemia, I personally would strongly recommend you check out your blood sugar level each time you are about to drive.
Prior to you putting the key in the ignition, test your blood sugar. There are some great glucometers out there, like the Accu-Check Compact with the Accu-Check Multi-clix lancet pen.
The Accu-Check Compact has a 17 strip drum inside so you don't have to take any extra strips with you. The Accu-Check Multi-clix lancet pen has a drum that automatically holds 6 lancets within the pen to use quickly and easily. If your blood sugar is low, treat yourself to some juice or hard candy and don't drive until your blood sugar is back to normal. Then try and eat a small meal, like a low fat cheese and/or turkey sandwich.
Usually in 15 minutes taking 15-20 grams of Carbohydrate (CHO) will usually bring up your blood sugar to normal range. You can have a 4-6 ounce glass of juice, glucose tablets or 2-3 pieces of hard candy. Don't overdo it because your blood sugar will then go sky high. If it doesn't return within normal limits in 15 minutes, repeat the 15-20 grams of CHO and then check your blood sugar in 15 minutes.
Usually if your blood sugar is above 80 mg/dl, you should feel fine but sometimes going above 100 mg/dl, you'll feel better. You should always follow with a small meal that contains CHO, protein that contains a small amount of fat.
I tell my father to put 2-3 peppermint candy right in his pocket and have a supply of hard candy or peppermint candy always stashed in his car. It is best if you eat 6-8 small meals a day. This would include a CHO, protein food that contains a little fat included. Example would be a cheese sandwich that contains 1 or 2 slices of bread, a cheese that is low fat or turkey low in fat but not fat free. The protein and fat does help to stabilize your blood sugar over a period of time instead of a quick spike in your blood sugar and a quick drop in blood sugar like juice would do.
During your trip if you need to take an insulin injection or an oral blood sugar medication, and then make sure you eat as prescribed with your medication, otherwise your blood sugar can go low. I will be writing about how insulin and certain oral blood sugar medications can make your sugar go low. Not all insulin, esp. Lantus, or oral diabetic medications make your blood sugar low.
Signs of Hypoglycemia:
- Cold sweat, faintness, dizziness
- Headache
- Pounding of heart, trembling, nervousness
- blurred vision
- hunger
- Irritability
- Personality Change
- Not able to awaken
Now you can also have problems driving if your blood sugar is over 200 mg/dl. The police officer told me that a diabetic's license can be revoked if an accident is caused by diabetes. I don't know if that is true but why risk losing your license altogether if this is the case. When it comes to driving: if in doubt, check out your blood sugar & eat!
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