Efficient method to get blood out of a finger

SexyGreyFox said:
My diabetes is out of control, I've had my full knee replacement cancelled 4 times (3 for diabetes) and now have to use a wheelchair.
Before I'm allowed to inject myself with insulin I've got to use my glucose monitor but my problem is even with the needle device on full power not enough blood comes out and I can end up pricking myself 4 times which then hurts a bit.

All serious and joke replies welcome to get a tiny sample of blood.
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I think that you and I are on good enough terms that you will take this in the humorous way that it’s intended.
Take your finger to your closest HMRC office, they are adept at getting blood out of a stone.
 
Jean-F said:
I think that you and I are on good enough terms that you will take this in the humorous way that it’s intended.
Take your finger to your closest HMRC office, they are adept at getting blood out of a stone.
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they certainly made my hair go grey overnight in the 90s
 
Yeah I was going to say I failed with those lance things last time I had to use one and the trick seems to be going towards the side of the finger.
 
tom_e said:
Get your heart rate up a bit before doing it.

I had to get some blood out the other day for one of those home testing kits and it normally takes me forever to fill the pot, up and down the stairs a few times and it was pouring out.
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Cholesterol? Or TRT?
 
peterwalkley said:
Lance the side of the finger, not the pads - the skin is thinner.
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+1. Also blood vessels supplying and draining the finger are located on the sides. Whilst your not actually hitting these vessels you are more likely to hit a capillary. The sides of the fingers also have fewer nerve endings so will be more comfortable. Usually shaking the hand for 10 seconds and a few fist clenches is enough to get the hand warmed up and blood circulating. You shouldn't need to use a tourniquet**
or elastic band (certainly not too close to the actual pinprick site). If these measures alone aren't working then a bigger Lancet is needed.

PS. Good look getting the sugars under control.

** Tourniquets can affect your capillary blood glucose levels so should be avoided.
 
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shadow_boxer said:
+1. Also blood vessels supplying and draining the finger are located on the sides. Whilst your not actually hitting these vessels you are more likely to hit a capillary. The sides of the fingers also have fewer nerve endings so will be more comfortable. Usually shaking the hand for 10 seconds and a few fist clenches is enough to get the hand warmed up and blood circulating. You shouldn't need to use a tourniquet or elastic band (certainly not too close to the actual pinprick site). If these measures alone aren't working then a bigger Lancet is needed.

PS. Good look getting the sugars under control.
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All working now, elastic band and side on.
The staff at UHNM do it really easy though on the pad of my guitar hand fingers!

17.7 this morning, got to get my scores for a week and then ring a Nurse at Stoke Health Centre :(
 
This might be a stupid one, but have you tried one of your non-guitar playing fingers? I imagine your tips are fairly calloused!
 
I did one of those covid antigen tests last week. Three finger pricks to get 0.5ml of blood and it took ages too!

Apparently the best finger is the wedding ring finger but you have my sympathy as getting capillary blood is a right chew on.
 
SexyGreyFox said:
All working now, elastic band and side on.
The staff at UHNM do it really easy though on the pad of my guitar hand fingers!

17.7 this morning, got to get my scores for a week and then ring a Nurse at Stoke Health Centre :(
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If you're having trouble with controlling your diabetes they might sign you up for free libre sensors on the nhs - I have a couple of friends who are type 1 and one uses the libre sensor all the time now, having gone through a trial to get them on the nhs. Legally he has to finger p-rick before driving, but when just out and about he'll be waving his phone over his arm every 15 minutes to see how he's doing.
 
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