Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

2/2/04

Q:
Can I use a finger that has weakness from a stroke to do a fingerstick?

A:
If the blood flow to the extremity is not impaired and a good sample can be drawn, it should be representative. A few comparisons of those numbers to those of a strong finger would be a good self test. The main concern we have with stroke is generally the ability or lack of ability to perform the test.