Squeezing your finger When you do that, you are getting some interstitial fluid rather than blood. A study shows that this “may lead to unreliable readings." Gently warming the hands ahead of time can help so you don't have squeeze so hard.
Anywhere from 5 to 13 percent of study participants had a significantly different blood sugar result (versus no squeezing), depending on how much pressure they put on the finger. On average, blood sugar readings were lower when people put pressure on the finger.
Don't squeeze your fingertip. If you have trouble getting a drop of blood large enough to cover the test area of the strip, hang your hand down below your waist and count to 5. Then gently squeeze your finger, beginning closest to your hand and moving outward to the end of your finger. Use a different finger each time.
After pricking your finger with the lancet, you should need to apply only slight pressure to release blood flow. If you need to apply a lot of pressure to produce a sample, that finger may not be the best testing site for you. Squeezing or milking the finger can contaminate the sample and lead to inaccurate results.
Dirty glucose meters, unwashed hands, or damaged test strips can all lead to false test results.
Prick your finger with the lancing device at the sides of the finger as there are less nerve ending here than at the tips or the 'pads'. Recommended finger: the World Health Organisation recommends the middle or ring fingers are used for blood glucose tests (second and third fingers).
Sugar, or other substances, on your fingers
Bits of dirt can also mess up your blood glucose readings. Make sure your hands are as clean as possible when you test your blood.
"Red palms can indicate liver disease. Knobbly knuckles, especially on the lower finger joints, can indicate that a patient has rheumatoid arthritis, and the colour of the creases in the hand, as well as the redness behind the finger nail, can indicate whether someone is anaemic."
The Heart, Pericardium, and Lung meridians are located on the palm side of the index and ring finger. The Liver, Spleen, and Stomach meridians are located on the palm side of the thumb and little finger.
In most cases, an injured or smashed finger will feel better within a few days of using at-home treatments. It is not uncommon for a bruise to develop as a smashed finger heals. The bruise is a sign of the body repairing the damage, but it may result in continued pain, discoloration of the area, aching, or numbness.
The rationale for wiping away the first drop of blood is that the alcohol in the prep pad, and consequently on the fingertip, may alter values. However, this rationale is controversial and techniques vary among nurses and facilities. Additionally, not all patients are able to produce a second drop of blood.
Adult patients
Puncture the skin with one quick, continuous and deliberate stroke, to achieve a good flow of blood and to prevent the need to repeat the puncture. Wipe away the first drop of blood because it may be contaminated with tissue fluid or debris (sloughing skin).
Wash your hands. If you have food debris on your fingers, for example, it can affect the result of the test. If you can't wash with soap and water, use an alcohol wipe on your fingertip. Insert a test strip into your glucose meter.
Make sure the hands are washed with soap and water and allowed to dry, or apply an alcohol-based sanitizer and leave it on for 30 seconds before lancing the finger. Water may lead to dilution of the blood, or the chemicals in the testing solution may solubilize too early, making the result invalid.
Whenever possible, aim to keep your glucose levels in range between 70 and 130 mg/dL in the morning before you eat breakfast, and between 70 and 180 mg/dL at other times.
The fourth finger of the left hand, believed to possess a vein that runs securely to the heart, has traditionally been ringed. This Vein of Love, or more amorously called the Vena Amoris, 1 originated in ancient Egypt, where it was first described by Macrobius in 395–423 AD.
Second in line is the index finger, which has been linked to the states of fear and confusion as well as the kidney. Patients who have issues with muscles and back aches or discomfort in their arms and legs have also reported feeling better after these massages.
Unfortunately, we now know that this ancient belief is not true -- there is no vein that runs from our ring fingers to our hearts. So, why do we continue to wear our engagement and wedding rings on this finger?
The index finger is considered the most important digit after the thumb because of its mobility and independent muscle attachments.
Of all your fingers, you might think your pinky is the most useless. But your little finger is particularly important in a strong grip and hand surgeons agree if you're going to lose one, the index finger is the best one to lose.
The thumb is very clearly the most important of the fingers, is much more muscular and has a greater range of movement to it. The primary function of the thumb is opposition to the fingers, i.e. the ability to grasp things.
Target blood sugar levels differ for everyone, but generally speaking: if you monitor yourself at home – a normal target is 4-7mmol/l before eating and under 8.5-9mmol/l two hours after a meal. if you're tested every few months – a normal target is below 48mmol/mol (or 6.5% on the older measurement scale)
Severe acidosis (pH < 6.95) can falsely decrease glucose readings. Patients receiving high flow oxygen can have false low readings with a glucose meter using the glucose oxidase method. High hematocrit, as in neonates, can also cause false low blood glucose readings.
Doctors suggest that a normal fasting blood sugar range is between 70–100 mg/dL (3.9–5.6 mmol/L). If your fasting blood sugar is consistently over 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L), your doctor will diagnose diabetes. You can reduce your risk of high fasting blood sugar by eating your dinner earlier the night before.