Fingerprick antibody blood tests - does it *have* to be finger tip blood?

[SerfNTerf]

I just can't bring myself to stab my finger tip (sensory issues) but can easily do it on my arm or even back of hand

Is there a reason it needs to be finger tip to work?

Blood is blood. They just suggest doing it that was for ease and so that you're not bleeding more than you need to! Get it from elsewhere if you like, but I'd really struggle to get it into the pot! I struggled from my finger, it was going all over.

Not sure how you'd get it at the right angle!

Me too, OP! I’ve idly wondered this, be interested to do it if anywhere but finger pad.

@northernlola

Blood is blood. They just suggest doing it that was for ease and so that you're not bleeding more than you need to! Get it from elsewhere if you like, but I'd really struggle to get it into the pot! I struggled from my finger, it was going all over.

Not sure how you'd get it at the right angle!

This test comes with a dropper to suck the blood into and then drop onto the test strip (it's a DIY antibody test) so no weird angles needed!

Of course it would be fine, it's just the blood supply is close to the surface on the finger tip so it's much easier to get a decent flow. You might find you can't get enough out of your arm.

If you can manage to do your toes then I think that would possibly work better.

If you prick the sides of your fingers rather than the pads, you may find that hurts less (long time diabetic who does about 7 or 8 of these a day)

I've got mild Reynaud's as well as sensory issues so my fingers are permanently freezing as well as super sensitive, the sides are just as bad tbh and toes no better!

God yes, so are mine, OP! I never get warm in the winter. Running hot water over your fingers first will help get the blood flowing.

I actually use my little fingers a lot – sounds counter-intuitive but for me at least they seem less sensitive.

Another diabetic here, it's definitely easier on the sides if your fingers, but be careful not to get too close to the nail bed!

The 'pens' that have the hidden needle are much easier and worth buying if you're going to need to do it often. Not worth it, if it's a one off!

You may get a little bruising, if you do the same spot over & over.

I'd persevere with your finger (maybe straight after a warm shower) I can't explain why, but I know it can throw readings out for diabetes if you take it from elsewhere.

It helps if you do a bit of exercise before, just a few minutes to get blood circulating, and soak your hands in warm water. I always find it hard to get enough blood out of fingers and end up having to do all my fingers just to get enough for a blood sample, but I accidentally cut a toe in the bath while shaving and it bled all over the place for ages, so I might try my toe next time I need to do this.

Its not that I don't think I can get enough blood, I've done one before and got plenty, so I don't need tips on getting the blood as such. Its the fact that I literally can't bear to stab my fingertips due to the sensation it causes.