Alternative Site Testing (Ast) - Accu-Chek Performa Owner's Booklet

Alternative Site Testing (AST)

You have the option of obtaining a blood sample from other sites on your body besides the fingertip.
Alternative sites include the palm, forearm, upper arm, thigh, and calf. The two palm testing sites are the
fleshy areas under the thumb (thenar) and under the little finger (hypothenar). Blood obtained from the
fingertip or palm can be used at any time to test blood glucose.
If blood from the forearm, upper arm, thigh, or calf is used, there are certain times when testing is not
appropriate (see next section). This is because your blood glucose level changes faster in your fingertip and
palm than in the forearm, upper arm, thigh and calf. These differences may cause you to make the wrong
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therapeutic decision, producing adverse health effects. Please read the following section before you test
from alternate sites.
IMPORTANT
Talk to your healthcare professional about Alternative Site Testing.