Do I need a second drop of blood to measure blood sugar?

When many people with diabetes see that the blood glucose meter value is significantly different from their own feelings, they will blame the blood glucose meter for not being able to come up. In fact, some small details can often cause big discrepancies in the data.

Where does the saying "use the second drop of blood for blood glucose measurement" come from?

In September 2016, the "Chinese Expert Consensus on Clinical Operation and Quality Management Standards for Portable Blood Glucometers" jointly issued by the Laboratory Medicine Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the Clinical Laboratory Center of the Health and Family Planning Commission states that:

Use 75% ethanol to disinfect the blood collection site, and wait until the ethanol dries before blood collection can be performed. After the blood collection needle punctures the skin, gently press the blood to flow out naturally. After gently wiping off the first drop with a sterilized cotton ball, drip the second drop of blood into the designated area on the test paper area; do not squeeze excessively after puncturing the skin to prevent tissue fluid from being mixed in. Blood samples skew the results.

It can be seen from the specifications: This is because the alcohol may not completely evaporate in a short period of time, and it is not easy to form complete blood droplets when the fingers are not completely dry; therefore, the hospital requires that the first drop of blood be gently wiped with a sterilized cotton ball. 1 drop of blood, collect the 2nd drop of blood to measure blood sugar to ensure the accuracy of blood sugar value.

Using the second drop of blood may also affect blood sugar levels

Studies have shown that: with clean hands, wipe the blood collection site with 75% alcohol, wait until it is dry before puncturing, avoid squeezing hard, use the first and second drops of blood and collect venous blood for biochemical blood glucose monitoring The comparisons were not statistically significant.

So why is it said that using the second drop of blood will affect blood sugar levels?

The Clinical Application Guidelines for Blood Glucose Monitoring in China (2015 Edition) formulated by the Diabetes Branch of the Chinese Medical Association mentions: It is recommended to draw a sufficient amount of blood samples at one time (some blood glucose meters that meet the secondary sample adding design can allow a second blood sample to be drawn) ; Do not press or move blood glucose test strips, blood glucose meters, etc. during testing.

That is to say, when using a blood glucose meter to collect blood, it is required to draw a sufficient amount of blood sample at one time. In the actual operation of people with diabetes, it is often the case that after wiping off the first drop of blood, the second drop of blood will not naturally overflow. After wiping off the first drop of blood, The blood sample is not enough. In this case, if the patient with diabetes does not operate properly, squeezing the finger blood sampling site will cause tissue fluid to leak out, thus affecting the blood sugar value.

How to ensure sufficient blood samples?

Some people with diabetes often have insufficient bleeding, especially in winter, and some people with diabetes have poor peripheral circulation. How to avoid this situation?

Now that the weather is getting colder, it is recommended that people with diabetes rub their hands or shake their arms before testing their blood sugar to promote blood circulation in their hands. It is also a good idea to soak your hands in warm water if possible.

After cleaning your fingers, you can let the arm where the blood collection site is located naturally hang down for a moment, and then gently massage the base of the blood collection finger to help collect a sufficient amount of blood sample during blood collection.

Secondly, to reduce the pain, blood should be collected from the side of the finger rather than from the fingertip or fingertip.

People with diabetes do not have to use alcohol to disinfect their blood sugar at home. They can just wash their fingers with soap and then dry them. It is also okay to collect the first drop of blood to measure blood sugar when the fingers are completely dry. As long as the blood is collected normally, follow the instructions Other specifications can also obtain reliable blood glucose monitoring data.