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Alternative Site Testing
What is AST(Alternative Site Testing)?
When someone tests their glucose, they usually take the blood
sample from the tip of the finger. However, since there are many
nerve endings distributed there, it can be quite painful. When
doing a glucose test, using different parts of the body, such as
the forearms, 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 Blood Sampling
(forearm, palm, thigh, calf)
Select a clean, soft and fleshy sample site area free of visible
veins and hair and away from bones. Gently massage the
sample site to help blood circulation to minimize result
differences between fingertip and alternative site sampling.
Firmly press and hold the lancing device against site. Wait
until the skin surface under the lancing device changes color.
Then press the release button while continuing to apply
pressure. Keep holding the lancing device against your skin
until sufficient (at least 0.5 μL) blood is drawn. Carefully lift the
lancing device away from your skin.
Alternative Sites for Testing
Things to know when using AST
Please understand the following before testing at sites other
than the fingertip (forearms, palms, thighs, and calves).
The capillary whole blood of the fingertips shows changes in
glucose levels more rapidly than in alternative sites. Therefore,
the test results from the fingertip testing and AST may differ.
This is because things such as lifestyle and ingested food
having an effect on glucose levels.
Acceptable situations for AST
• Fasting period
• Before a meal
Situations requiring fingertip test
• When the glucose levels are rapidly increasing,
such as 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
• Two hours after an insulin injection
Caution:
AST results should never be used to calibrate
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems nor entered into an
insulin dosing calculator or pump for dosing recommendations.
