AskNadia: My Walgreen’s True Metrix Lancet Gauge
Dear Nadia,
I bought the Walgreens blood glucose test meter True Metrix, made by Trividia Health. In the box was a package of lancelets that contained long needles, medium length needles, and short needles.
I have learned that lancet needles ranged from 28 gauge to 30 gauge, and the length range was between 2.8 mm to 3.2 mm. No one has been able to tell me when each of the needle lengths would normally be used, or how to tell me what the middle length measurement would be. I can only find the short needle length lancelets, but they do not work well in the tool.
Could you please give me your comments on Trividia Health units and lancets, and where I could find the middle length lancelets.
Anne
Dear Anne:
The lancet gauge and length is provided to accommodate different skin textures. Some people have soft skin while other have calloused, hard skin. The gauge and length of the lancets really depend on your skin type. If you are new to diabetes, finding the right lancet that does not bruise you or create too much discomfort can take time. By experimenting with the 28, 30 or 33 gauge with the different depth option from your lancet device, will help you determine which is the best lancet for you in terms comfort and drawing blood for your glucose test strip.
When you buy a kit by Trividia, the makers of the True Metrix, they have already anticipated the different skin texture. By offering a selection of lancets in their diabetes kit, it gives you the opportunity to see which lancet works best for you.
For example, if you have thick, callused fingers, using a 28G or larger could be more suitable. If your skin is thin with delicate fingers, you may use a 33 gauge lancet. The gauge of the needle and the depth setting on the lancing device is what is essential in drawing the right amount of blood for your blood glucose test.
One way to remember the gauge size and who it may be suitable for; the smaller the number listed as the gauge, the thicker the needle; the larger the number listed as the gauge, the thinner the needle.
Trividia offers three lancet gauges which you should be able to buy at Walgreen’s. If not, I would check Amazon.
| Thicker Skin
For General Use Thinner Skin |
28 | 0.37mm± 0.015mm |
| 30 | 0.32mm± 0.015mm | |
| 33 | 0.20mm± 0.015mm |
You might also be interested in reading these stories about lancets:
How Often Do You Recommend Changing Lancets?
AskNadia: Am I being Lied To About Lancets and Hepatitis
Disclaimer:
Nadia’s feedback on your question is in no way intended to initiate or replace your healthcare professional’s therapy or advice. Please check in with your medical team to discuss your diabetes management concerns.
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About Nadia:
AskNadia (ranked #1 by Google), named “Best Diabetes Blog for 2017 by Healthline and with 24 nominations, Nadia Al-Samarrie’s efforts have made her stand out as a pioneer and leading patient advocate in the diabetes community.
Nadia was not only born into a family with diabetes but also married into one. She was propelled at a young age into “caretaker mode,” and with her knowledge of the scarcity of resources, support, and understanding for people with diabetes, co-founded Diabetes Interview, now Diabetes Health magazine.
Nadia has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and other major cable networks. Her publications, medical supply business, and website have been cited, recognized and published in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, Ann Landers advice column, former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, Entrepreneur magazine, Houston News, Phili.com, Brand Week, Drug Topics, and many other media outlets.
Nadia has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and other major cable networks. Her publications, medical supply business, and website have been cited, recognized and published in the San Francisco Chronicle, The Wall Street Journal, Ann Landers advice column, former Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca, Entrepreneur magazine, Houston News, Phili.com, Brand Week, Drug Topics, and many other media outlets.
