UK Lancets Gauge Size

[thepuzik]

Hi, Does anyone have recommendations on where to get a lancing device and lancets for INR self-testing in the UK. I had brought some single use lancets with me from the US but I'm running out and would prefer to use something a little less wasteful. I attached photos of single use lancets I've been usuing, If I get a lancing device what guage does the lancets need to be?

 

[pellicle]

if you're getting enough blood then the lancet is right for you. If you aren't then you need a bigger diameter.

Myself I'd recommend a "pen" like this

and then buy the lancets to suite

 

[thepuzik]

if you're getting enough blood then the lancet is right for you. If you aren't then you need a bigger diameter.

Myself I'd recommend a "pen" like this

View attachment 890635

and then buy the lancets to suite
View attachment 890636

Is the "Softclix" part important? I recently ordered my Coaguchek test strips so I'm stuck at delivery minimum. ChatGPT said that the Coagucheck lancets are 23guage so I'm assuming these lancets would work too?

 

[pellicle]

Is the "Softclix" part important?

only if you have the 'pen' and you want the "insert" you bought to fit into that pen.

Its a tradename and not a "standard"

Its like anything (engines...); the parts have to fit.

 

[pellicle]

when I look carefully at that product above it looks entirely different to the parts that fit into my lance tool

from
https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/06/inr-lance-sizes.html

Note the words CoaguChek, not Accu-Chek ... those are for blood glucose testing and the blood drop size difference is significant. I don't have Accu-Chek, but I do happen to have a different brand which is designed for blood glucose testing called Contour.​

so if you buy those you need to focus on what tool you have that you are buying parts for...

 

[thepuzik]

when I look carefully at that product above it looks entirely different to the parts that fit into my lance tool

from
https://cjeastwd.blogspot.com/2023/06/inr-lance-sizes.html

Note the words CoaguChek, not Accu-Chek ... those are for blood glucose testing and the blood drop size difference is significant. I don't have Accu-Chek, but I do happen to have a different brand which is designed for blood glucose testing called Contour.​

View attachment 890638

View attachment 890639

so if you buy those you need to focus on what tool you have that you are buying parts for...

On a closer look they seem very similar in size and shap and are both 23guage as I understand it.

 

[pellicle]

On a closer look they seem very similar in size and shap and are both 23guage as I understand it.
View attachment 890641

except one is flat and the other cylindrical ...

 

[LondonAndy]

You can get the CoaguChek "Softclix" lancets here, but for some reason although they are the official Roche distributor, they don't sell the pen! However, there's one on eBay.

 

[Protimenow]

You should probably try to go with 21 gauge -- slightly larger, they make a larger incision (better for getting a good sample). Most will work in the lancing devices.
If you look at the single use lancing devices, you'll see that they're usually 21 gauge (although I also bought 23 gauge VETERINARY single use lancing devices and they also worked well). If you're using a lancing device that accepts lancets, you may have to experiment with depth settings in order to get the right amount of blood. Also - be sure to make good contact with the skin being lanced - sometimes not pressing into the skin enough will get you an inadequate incision that doesn't produce enough blood for a good test.
I use Pellicle's dental floss technique for making sure to get a large enough drop. (Basically, wrapping the tip of the finger that you'll be incising with dental floss, pulling the floss tight enough to constrict the blood in the fingertip. Works for me every time).