Alternate Site Testing

Does anybody have any experience of alternate site testing

I am aware it's most suitable for routine testing which will reduce the usage on fingers, which can then be retained for hypo checks etc, and will also need to use a Clear Top cap (would like to retain my SoftClix if I can get a Clear Top cap).

Interested in most suitable locations (base of thumb and little finger and lower arm have been mentioned), whether there is much variation from testing at fingers, any preference for lancing device and any other points (good and bad).

I've never had any real issues with my fingers if I'm honest so I've not had cause to try other areas, if you check the website for the manufacturer of your lance though it should give you all the info you need for trying to use alternate sites. Be aware that different sites can give different readings and the finger tips tend to be the most accurate read you can get by lancing.

What I would say to you though is in that the different cap is really just to change the depth of penetration, I can't recall if it is to make it shallower or deeper but it doesn't make the lance do anything special. In the same sense as alternative test sites can require different depth levels the same is true of your fingers. For example I'll set my lance to the shallowest setting possible to do my little finger or thumb but for my index, ring & middle finger it will typically be a the next level up.

Also I don't change my lancet every time, I'll tend to use them for about a week or so, when you do change it though make sure it's properly seated as if you haven't pushed it all the way in then it's going to go deeper into your skin as such when I've changed it I always set it to the minimum then lance and if it needs to go deeper then set it so.

There is a fine ballance between to deep, to shallow and just right but it's worth playing with as the deeper you go the more scar tissue you create and the deeper you then need to go.