10
TESTING YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE
CAUTION:
Do Not
test on your forearm or palm when:
• You think your blood glucose is rapidly falling, such as within two hours of exercise or a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin
pump bolus. Testing with a fingertip sample may identify hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction sooner than testing with a forearm or
palm sample.
• It has been less than two hours after a meal, a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus, physical exercise, or you think your
glucose level is changing rapidly.
• You are concerned about the possibility of hypoglycemia or an insulin reaction, such as when driving a car. This is especially important
if you suffer from hypoglycemia unawareness (lack of symptoms to indicate an insulin reaction).
Choosing the right sampling site at the right time
The OneTouch® UltraMini® Meter allows you to sample blood from your fingertip, forearm or palm. Forearm and palm sampling is also referred
to as “alternate site testing” (AST). At times, results obtained at the forearm or palm may be different from a fingertip measurement. Talk to
your healthcare professional before you begin using your forearm or palm for sampling.
If you are testing:
Use blood sample from your:
Routinely before meals
Prior to or more than two hours after:
• a meal
• a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus
• exercise
When your blood glucose is changing rapidly, such as:
• within two hours after a meal
• within two hours after a rapid-acting insulin injection or insulin pump bolus, or
• during or within two hours after exercise
When you are concerned about the possibility of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Fingertip, forearm, or palm
Fingertip
