You can choose fingertip or forearm testing with the OneTouch® Ultra®2, OneTouch® UltraSmart®, OneTouch® UltraMini® and OneTouch® Ultra® Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems. And forearm testing may mean less pain* because your arm has fewer nerve endings than your fingertips. Before you try testing on your forearm, read your owner's booklet, understand when and how to forearm test and talk to your health care professional.
When to Forearm Test
Although forearm testing can give sensitive fingertips a break from testing, forearm testing should only be used at the right times.** Studies show that test results using samples taken from the forearm may differ from fingertip samples when blood glucose is changing rapidly, such as within 2 hours after a meal, an insulin dose, or exercise.
- Only use forearm testing before a meal, an insulin dose, or physical exercise, or 2 hours after a meal, an insulin dose, or exercise.
- If you test within 2 hours after a meal, an insulin dose, or exercise, you should test from your finger.
- When blood glucose is changing rapidly, fingertip samples show these changes more quickly than forearm samples.
- When your blood glucose is falling, testing with a fingertip may identify a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) level sooner than a test with a forearm sample.
- You should use fingertip testing whenever you have a concern about hypoglycemia (insulin reactions), such as when you drive a car, particularly if you suffer from hypoglycemic unawareness (lack of symptoms to indicate an insulin reaction), since forearm testing may fail to detect hypoglycemia.
- If the results from the forearm do not match how you feel (high or low), test from the fingertip and use those results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forearm Testing 
How to Arm Test
Only use forearm testing at the right times: fasting, before or more than two hours after a meal, insulin does or exercise. And be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin testing on your arm.
Some tips to help you successfully test on your forearm:
- Before you test, rub your forearm
- Choose an area that's free from hair and obvious veins
- When using the OneTouch® UltraSoft® Adjustable Blood Sampler, the OneTouch® UltraClear® Cap lets you view the test site so you can see when you have an adequate blood sample from the forearm.
- Hold the lancing device on the forearm for 5 seconds to allow an adequate blood sample to collect on the surface. The clear cap allows you to see your sample.
For more detailed instructions:
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