Alternative Site Testing
Important:
There are limitations with AST (Alternative Site Testing).
● AST results should not be used for CGM calibration.
● AST results should not be used for insulin dosing calculations.
Please consult your health care professional before you perform AST.
What is AST?
Alternative site testing (AST) means that people use parts of the body
other than the fingertips to check their blood glucose levels. This system
provides you to test on the palm, the forearm or the upper arm with the
equivalent results to fingertip testing.
What is the advantage?
Your fingertips feel more pain because they are full of nerve endings
(receptors). At other body sites, where nerve endings are not so
condensed, you will not feel as much pain as you would pricking your
fingertip.
When to use AST?
Food, medication, illness, stress and exercise can affect blood glucose
levels. Capillary blood at the fingertip reflects these changes faster than
capillary blood at other sites. Thus, when testing blood glucose during
or immediately after a meal, physical exercise, or any other event, take a
blood sample from your finger only.
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Suggested Test Areas
for the Hand
Upper Arm
Forearm