Which finger is standard for measuring blood glucose?
Disease description:
Every time I check my blood sugar, I struggle with which finger to use. Some say the ring finger is more accurate, while others recommend the middle finger. Which finger is actually the most accurate for blood glucose testing? Is there any specific guideline to follow?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
When measuring blood glucose, it is generally recommended to prioritize blood collection from the ring finger or little finger.
The ring finger and little finger are used less frequently, and have relatively fewer pain nerve endings, which can reduce discomfort during blood collection. However, in fact, any finger can be used for blood glucose monitoring. The key is to ensure that the blood collection site varies each time to avoid local infection or the formation of hard nodules. In addition, correct blood collection techniques and disinfection measures are also important to reduce the risk of infection after blood collection.
However, in some special circumstances, such as when there are wounds, infections, or poor blood circulation in the fingers, alternative sites such as the palm or forearm may be selected for blood glucose testing. It should be noted that blood glucose values from these alternative sites may differ from those obtained from the fingertips. Therefore, when using non-traditional sites for blood glucose monitoring, consultation with healthcare professionals is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the monitoring results.
During blood glucose testing, it is important to keep the fingers clean, use the second drop of blood for testing, and avoid excessive squeezing of the finger to ensure the accuracy of the measurement results.
