Which result should be used to determine how much medication to take if there is a difference between an arm test and a fingerstick test?
If there is a difference between a result using a sample from the arm and a result from a fingerstick test, you should use the result from the fingerstick.
Under certain conditions, blood glucose test results obtained using samples from the arm may differ significantly from fingertip samples.
The conditions in which these differences are most likely to occur are when your blood glucose is changing rapidly, such as during the 2 hour period following a meal, insulin dose or physical exercise.
When your blood glucose is falling, testing with a fingertip sample may identify a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) level sooner than a test with an arm sample.
The health information on this Web site is for general background purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific conditions. Seek prompt medical attention for health care questions you have. Consult your physician before making changes to your medication, diet, fitness program or blood glucose testing schedules.