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Diabetes 101 Alternate Site Testing Nutrition Tips Exercise and Diabetes Diabetes and Your Health Diabetes Facts Diabetes Tips Diabetes Glossary

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Alternate Site Testing

Reduce testing pain and stop sticking your fingers!

Alternate Site Testing has been approved by the FDA. The term "alternate site testing" (AST) means using parts of the body other than the fingertips to obtain blood for blood glucose testing. With an approved glucose test meter you can check your blood sugar without the pain associated with the finger stick.

Introduction

Self-monitoring of blood glucose is an important part of the treatment plan for people with diabetes. It helps you develop your individual blood glucose profile, so you and your health care team can plan your particular diabetes management regimen. It provides you with the ability to make day-to-day treatment choices with meals and physical activity as well as with oral agents and insulin, and it helps you recognize and understand the effect of lifestyle and diabetes medication on your diabetes control.

• Why is alternate site testing less painful?
• Using AST Meter - Where can I test?
• When is testing on the finger preferred?
• Testing on the finger is recommended if...
• How would I know if I have hypoglycemia unawareness?
• How do I perform an alternate site test?
• Why are there differences between forearm and fingertip results?
• What is the percentage of difference when comparing results from the forearm to a result from a fingerstick test result?
• Which result should be used to determine how much medication to take if there is a difference between a forearm test and a fingerstick test?
• Can sample size affect the result?