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Blood Glucose Tests
Performing a Blood Glucose Test with Blood from Your Palm, Forearm, or Upper
Arm (Alternate Site Testing)
You have the option of obtaining a blood sample from other sites on your body besides the fingertip.
Alternate sites include the palm, forearm, and upper arm.
Blood obtained from the fingertip can be used at any time to perform a blood glucose test.
If blood from the palm, forearm, or upper arm is used, there are certain times when testing is not
appropriate. This is because your blood glucose level changes faster in your fingertip than in the palm,
forearm, and upper arm. These di erences may cause you to misinterpret your actual blood glucose level,
leading to improper therapy and potential adverse health e ects.
Read the next section before you try testing from the palm, forearm, or upper arm.
You may perform
a palm, forearm,
• immediately before a meal.
or upper arm
• while fasting.
test
You may NOT
• up to 2 hours following a meal, when blood glucose values can rise quickly.
perform a palm,
• after injecting bolus insulin, when blood glucose values can decrease rapidly.
forearm, or
• after exercise.
upper arm test
• if you are sick.
• if you think your blood glucose is low (hypoglycemia).
• if you sometimes do not notice when your blood glucose is low.
If you are interested in AST, talk to your healthcare professional first.
To obtain an AST cap and detailed AST instructions, contact Accu-Chek Customer Care at
1-800-363-7949.
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