Lancing 101
Lancing 101
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or are pre-disposed to diabetes, you will more than likely begin measuring your blood sugar levels. Most people use a combination of items to do this such as: a lancing device, lancets, test strips and a blood glucose meter (BGM).
What is a lancing device?
A lancing device is traditionally a plastic, pen-like device that works by holding a lancet firmly in place. Usually with the press of a button, the lancet is activated, pricking the skin to obtain a blood sample.
Devices will have an activation button that controls the release of the lancet, and depth settings that can be adjusted to control how far the lancet goes into the skin. Lancet devices may be included with your BGM. There are also new innovative devices available with different design options, shapes and colors, sold separately.
What is a lancet?
Lancets are used with a lancing device. Their purpose is to prick the skin to obtain a small quantity of blood for testing.
Lancets are small needles molded into a plastic housing with an exposed sharp tip. The needles should always be sterilized, and the sharp tip should be covered by a removable safety cap that can usually be twisted off.
Lancets are available in various gauges (i.e. 21 gauge, 26 gauge, etc). The higher the gauge size (number), the smaller the needle. The higher gauge lancets are perceived to be less painful when testing. The lower the gauge size (number), the larger the blood sample.
Lancets are represented by 3 types*:
- Type A lancets fit most devices and are most common. The operator can twist the cap off to expose the needle tip before testing. After testing, the needle tip can be forced into the plastic protective cap so as not to accidentally re-use.
- Type B lancets are longer and fit a more limited range of devices
- Type C lancets are designed for use with a specific device (i.e. flat cartridges).
* Wolfson applied Science Project
Lancet needles are damaged after each use. For compliance, the least painful prick, and healthy, quicker healing fingers, you should change the lancet after each use.
Where to test:
The most common and accurate testing site(s) are your fingers because there are more capillary blood vessels, and it is convenient.** It is less painful to prick your finger if done on either side of the finger, because there are less nerve endings than on the pads of your fingers. Also, calluses can be avoided if you alternate fingers when you test.
Alternate Site Testing (AST) is becoming more prevalent since BGM's have become more advanced. ** It is less painful to test at an alternate site other than the finger (i.e. palm, forearm, abdomen and thigh). One problem with AST is that your results may not be as accurate as those from your fingertips. Remember, blood from the fingertips may register glucose changes in the body faster than blood from other testing sites.*
* Chapter 7: Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose
** US Pharmacist: "Emerging Technologies in Diabetes Care"
Alternate site test caps are included with most lancing devices.
