Expert: Walter Hintz - 7/19/2006

Question
I'm A Paramedic, and a question has been brought up that has me thinking. We have always checked blood sugar by sticking the finger of the person that is alert or not in cardiac arrest. If they were in cardiac arrest we would use the blood left in the needle when we started an IV. Now some has stated that the reading would not be as accurate from the IV. Can you clear this up. Thanks for your help.        Tony S.  

Answer
 Hi Tony
The blood sugar level does change rapidly.  The blood sigar level may vary slightly between capillary blood in the finger and venous blood from the arm.  Many years ago I had an edocrinologist that insisted that he check my blood sugar from a venupunture as it would be more accurate.  At any rate you are looking for abnormally high or low levels so I do not see what difference it makes.  If you had a 600 reading from the finger and a 575 reading from a vein the 25 difference become insignificant.
 It seems to me that you should have some data where both tests have been done so that you can make a comparison.