The reason it’s important to test your blood sugar each day is to ensure that your levels are under control and that you are ready to live an active, healthy life with diabetes.
Lancets are small needles that look like miniature scalpels designed to prick the skin and obtain a drop of blood adequate to deliver an accurate glucose meter reading. It is possible to use a lancet alone to prick your finger. However, if you want to minimize discomfort and ensure a viable blood sample, you really need to also use a lancing device.
What is a lancing device?
A lancing device is an instrument that maximizes the accuracy of a lancet, which also helps minimize pain when pricking the finger. There are a number of lancing devices on the market, and many are only compatible with a specific brand of lancet. Different devices also accommodate different size lancets, from thinner needles to wider ones that might be necessary for calloused fingers.
Additionally, some lancing devices hold a number of lancets, so you don’t have to insert a new one for each glucose meter test. Others can draw samples from parts of the body other than the finger, and some lancing devices even allow you to set the depth of the “prick” so that you can find the least painful option.
What’s the best lancing device for me?
The best lancing device for you is the one that delivers a viable blood sample and causes the least amount of pain. Finding this ideal device can take some time and may require a little bit of trial and error, but it is worth the effort.
After all, testing your blood sugar is a non-negotiable part of living with diabetes. So, finding the easiest and most effective way to do it makes life a lot easier, and also makes you far less likely to avoid dealing with those daily blood sugar tests.
Here are a few lancing devices you may want to check out:
Accu-Chek Fastclix Lancing Device
Accu-Chek Softclix Lancing Device
OneTouch Delica Plus Lancing Device
Microlet Next Lancing Device
TRUEdraw Lancing Device
Tips on lancing devices
- First off, it’s important to make sure that your lancing device and lancets are compatible. While a fair number of lancing devices are considered universal, a good many devices are not, and will not fit multiple sizes or different brand lancets.
- Make sure your lancet itself is the right gauge. For most people, we recommend going with a thinner needle, which means a higher-gauge lancet (yes, it can get confusing). Thinner needles usually work best and yield the least amount of discomfort. If, however, you have thick or calloused skin, a wider needle (lower gauge lancet) might be necessary for an effective finger prick. Whichever size lancet works best for you, make sure you choose a lancing device that accommodates that gauge.
- Do you want alternate site testing? Some lancing devices allow you to draw a sample from other areas besides the fingertip. This can help alleviate discomfort and is a big plus for many living with diabetes.
- Let’s not forget about price; some lancing devices cost more than others. If you don’t need added features, don’t pay for them.
