Using EASYLIFE Monitor system

[SaxBox]

Has anyone had experience with using EASYLIFE cholesterol home measuring kits.

They work by using a very small sample of blood 15ul placed on a measurement strip. This strip is then measured by a small machine giving a cholesterol reading in 150 seconds. I'm finding it difficult to get a large enough blood sample on to the strip despite following the instructions.

[jeanjeannie50]

When I first started checking my INR (am on Warfarin). It took me ages to master how to get enough blood out of my finger for a test. I've found it best to test after a shower or bath, it never fails.

[SaxBox in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your advice. I do warm my fingers in hot water before hand as I tend to have cold hands but maybe its not enough.

[shopman in reply to SaxBox]

Better to use a bowl and put your whole arm in for a good 5 minutes or so first.

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to SaxBox]

Yes warming hands was never enough for me. Straight out of a bath or shower has never failed.

[SaxBox in reply to SaxBox]

Your tip of taking a shower before cholesterol test has worked! Thanks very much

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

As a Type I diabetic I have to check my BG (blood glucose) via a finger prick test multiple times a day. The standard lancing device that came with the meter was useless so I got one similar to the one illustrated below. With my battered fingers I cannot get any blood on settings 1 & 2 and only a pin head on 3. 4 works fine and 5 a mess (I am on Clopidogrel plus Aspirin). Some people on beta blockers tend to suffer from cold hands.

Finger pricker