Contents

Search

capillary blood glucose (sugar)

Indications: - evaluation of glycemic control in diabetes mellitus - preprandial & postprandial glucose in patients with multiple insulin injections each day - 2 hour postprandial glucose when there is a discrepancy between fasting capillary blood glucose & hemoglobin A1c (see glycemic control) [5] * little evidence that capillary blood glucose is of value in patients with type 2 diabetes not taking insulin [4] Reference interval: - preprandial target range: - 70-130 mg/dL - 90-130 mg/dL elderly - 90-150 mg/dL if elderly with multiple comorbidities - 1-2 hour postprandial target range: < 180 mg/dL [3] Increases: - diabetes mellitus - see hyperglycemia Procedure: reading obtained from glucometer 1) sticking the side of the thumb produces the least pain 2) sticking the earlobe also produces little pain 3) alternate site testing may be less painful & more convenient 4) finger tip sampling is preferred, due to considerations of blood flow & uptake of glucose by muscle & fat 5) blood glucose changes appear 30 minutes earlier in the fingers before other sites [2] Management: 1) check blood glucose using fingertips when a) blood glucose is changing rapidly -> within 2 hours after a meal, exercise or insulin b) checking for hypoglycemia 2) alternative sites ok to test a) fasting blood glucose b) preprandial blood glucose

Related

diabetes mellitus glucometer (OneTouch, FastTake, Lifestyle, InDuo, Lifescan, Accu-Check Accu-Check Advantage, FreeStyle, AtLast, InCharge, Prestige, Elite, DEX, Sof-Tact, SideKick) glucose (dextrose, D-glucose) glucose in serum/plasma glycemic control hyperglycemia hypoglycemia

Specific

capillary blood glucose fasting

General

point of care test glucose in blood

References

  1. Journal Watch 20(16):131-132, 2000
  2. Prescriber's Letter 9(7):41 2002
  3. Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 17, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2015
  4. Geriatric Review Syllabus, 9th edition (GRS9) Medinal-Walpole A, Pacala JT, Porter JF (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2016
  5. ElSayed NA, Aleppo G, Aroda VR, et al. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: standards of care in diabetes - 2023. Diabetes Care. 2023;46:S140-S157. PMID: 36507650