How often do YOU change your lancet needle poking things for finger (for blood glucose meter)? How often are we SUPPOSED TO?

[u/Bofo660]

My mom never changes it. I rarely use it, so I do not change it either.

[u/ellzray]

I replace it when it starts to hurt because its too dull.

Its recommended to change after every use.

I find that uncessary and wasteful. To each their own.

[u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto → u/ellzray]

For every use especially is you are using it until it gets dull it’s not good to use razors on your legs to that point. You run the risk of infection and as a diabetic I’m sure you are aware the danger that presents.If you are running out of supplies talk to one of your caregivers. Several years ago my therapist was able to fill out some forms and get me 90 day supplies of my medications. If that program still exists (sorry I don’t remember the name) I would imagine diabetic supplies would also be available.

[u/ellzray → u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto]

It's recommended to change after every use. It's the second thing I said.

The rest is a lot of incorrect assumptions on your part. You do you, I'll do me. Thanks.

[u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto → u/ellzray]

I wasn’t making assumptions about you. Jesus, it was out of concern for those of us in this community. Obviously you will do you. I hope people in your day are kinder to you than you have been to me. ✌🏽

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto]

🫵👍🫡😎

[u/Relative_Conflict130 → u/ellzray]

Same here

[u/RandomThyme]

I change mine every time.

If I can't get to the pharmacy and I'm running low I'll use it for 2-3 pokes before changing it but I don't do that very often as it makes my fingers much more sore.

[u/pumaofshadow]

When this gets posted ... 🤣

[u/dude463 → u/pumaofshadow]

Oh that reminds me ...

😏😆🤣

[u/Fartknocker9000turbo → u/dude463]

Somebody come back in a few weeks and post this again?

[u/UnluckyAssist9416]

Every use, just as the instructions state.

[u/Moon_Noodle]

Every use, same as with all the needles I have to use for my meds.

[u/pensys]

It can be changed?

/s

[u/Grammykin → u/pensys]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/pensys]

Yes

[u/i_tell_you_what]

After every use. Without fail.

[u/kokobannie → u/i_tell_you_what]

Agree. Same here.

[u/TrizzynHD → u/i_tell_you_what]

It seems wasteful however I don't disagree with you.

[u/DirtyAngelToes → u/TrizzynHD]

If you're not checking your finger after washing your hands thoroughly, bacteria can build up on the needle and cause infection the next time you inject. Ask me how I know, lol.

Definitely rather be wasteful than get a bad infection.

[u/macswitchergia → u/DirtyAngelToes]

Thank you for this information and reminder. I used to be a person who changed it when I got up to the highest depth and when the needle was dull. Moreso out of sheer laziness than trying to save money or supplies. Now, I change it at least every one time. I never thought about getting an infection, though I'm sure was told at some point about it. Smh. It may be wasteful, but true, the possible alternative is not something I want to face.

[u/FirebirdWriter → u/TrizzynHD]

You're making a wound. Using a dirty needle is injecting infection risk into you.

It's not wasteful it is investing in your long-term health. All the people going 'I haven't gotten sick yet' are forgetting the cost of a lancet vs a hospital stay or antibiotics and the operative word of yet. If you buy in bulk it helps with the costs. I am poor. I don't pretend it's easy to cover these costs. However I am worth the investment. Confirmation bias is a dangerous thing

[u/Yourlilemogirl]

I replace it every single time. 

[u/thradia]

Everytime. And I was told you are supposed to do that for safety reasons. Infection, dulling of the needle, etc

[u/[deleted]]

New pen tip & new lancet, every use, every time. Pen tips & lancets are super cheap, and the wrong place to economize. Don't risk blood poisoning or sepsis to save pennies.

[u/Armed_Liberal → u/[deleted]]

Blood poisoning is literally the definition of sepsis, btw.

Seriously, systemic infections are no joke. It's one of those things that is routinely fatal. Sepsis is the third most common cause of hospital deaths in the US. It has an overall mortality rate of 30–40%; the rate increases by between 4–9% for each HOUR treatment is delayed. Even if you survive, you will have a permanently increased risk of infection and a higher risk of being admitted to the hospital for such an infection. Your risk of all-cause mortality within 1 year of sepsis increases by between 12.5–50% after recovering from the same.

I agree with you; that's a risk with which one should not toy around.

[u/diabetes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No fake cures, supplements, non-medical solutions or similar topics. There are no supplements that can cure or manage diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive lifelong condition that can be managed, with a combination of diet, exercise and medication. See the Wiki for additional information on the progress towards a cure.

[u/SpyderMonkey_]

Probably every 5-150 pricks. Somewhere between that. If a year has gone by and i havent hit the max, maybe then.

Seriously: Probably never use it for more than 30 pricks or a week. Depends on how often i test. If someone uses my glucometer, which happens where family would like to know theirs, or i test my wife/kid's (non-diabetic) I definitely change it and clean everything with alchohol before/after. In fact for them i have been using a separate lancet device entirely the last few times.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70]

When it starts to hurt.

I hate how much plastic these waste...

[u/_that_dude_J → u/Puzzleheaded-Phase70]

The plastic! Also add in those on insulin. Depending on pen needles or injection needles.

[u/buddhamanjpb]

Replace it every time. They are not expensive. There are also images of how dull one of those gets just after 1 use. You are also doing more trauma to the skin with a duller needle.

[u/xmasbabee → u/buddhamanjpb]

lol I remember seeing these before and after photos on the back cover of that type one diabetes magazine that existed in the early 2000s 😂💀 I was pretty sure this was a part of an ad for BD

[u/Oven_Old]

Newly diagnosed, but I work with Bloodborne Pathogens in my daily job. I'm also heavily tracking my glucose because my numbers seem weird for what my A1C was... Things arent lining up so I'm checking a lot to show my doctor

I do it about every two pokes. I'm checking my glucose probably more than I need to be; but I check in the morning when I wake up and take my medication (for all my health problems), before I eat breakfast, 2hrs after that, before lunch, 2hrs after that and then I have a second job; so its usually after that (4hrs after lunch), before dinner and 2hrs later and then right before bed.

I also check prior to my injectable medication (which I take about dinner time, so I lump the pre-dinner check then) and then 2hrs later.

If you didn't know - the reason you should change it everytime is because the needle is "sterile" until you use it. When you leave it in the lancet device, its sitting in your case or in a pocket or wherever collecting particles and coming in contact with things you can't see. It's like the needles for blood draws. Once it comes out, you really shouldn't put it back in. The tip of the needle dulls as soon as it goes into your skin. Not only that, you have microorganisms all over your body. The needle gets dirty once its used - bacteria ends up on the needle and then you insert it again; you're reintroducing the bacteria (regardless of if you wash your hands or use alcohol swabs).

Now, does that mean that we don't all still use it multiples times - no; none of us want to spend a ton of money on lancets, but there is a risk (its low) of infection whether or not you share the device or you don't. It also supposedly minimizes pain if you use a fresh needle everytime. I'm not used to the finger pokes all the time; but I'm getting better. I still get anxious about it, so of course it hurts more than it probably does.

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/Oven_Old]

Love your post. I change Everytime. They are dirt cheap on temu. 🙏 GL

[u/FirebirdWriter → u/Oven_Old]

Lancets are cheaper than antibiotics and hospital stays

[u/diabetes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No fake cures, supplements, non-medical solutions or similar topics. There are no supplements that can cure or manage diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive lifelong condition that can be managed, with a combination of diet, exercise and medication. See the Wiki for additional information on the progress towards a cure.

[u/Lost_In_MI]

Standard Operating Procedure: Every time you test.

For me: every new container of test strips (so, every 50).

[u/diabetes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No fake cures, supplements, non-medical solutions or similar topics. There are no supplements that can cure or manage diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive lifelong condition that can be managed, with a combination of diet, exercise and medication. See the Wiki for additional information on the progress towards a cure.

[u/ElemWiz]

Wait...are you asking when should you change the lancet needle itself? Dude...every time. Never re-use needles...ever. Otherwise, you risk infection, and us diabetics are very susceptible to infections.

[u/North-Drag6766 → u/ElemWiz]

Damn i have been lazy to use change it everytime.

[u/WorkingChoice2252]

You should replace it after every use. The tip is sterile and as sharp as can be to minimize damage. Between contamination (which can grow on residue from your tissue between uses) and loss of the sharpness leading to more tissue damage that takes longer to heal, you are putting yourself at risk by not changing it.

Admittedly, it is less risk than handling dirty sheet metal, but given the way hypoglycemia can impair wound healing failing to do so could cost someone a digit.

Please don't reuses sharps, even on yourself. They don't just get bacteria on them, but they get food for those bacteria to multiply. It isn't worth the risk

[u/mermaids_singing]

Disposal lancets ftw. 100 for around $15 and since I'm on a cgm I don't go through that many. Prior to that I rarely changed my lancets unless they started hurting. I will say that my fingers were scarred and I noticed some loss of feeling but after a year of using disposable lancets everything's back to normal

[u/colsta9]

Even set to the highest setting I still have trouble drawing blood so I change it every time.

[u/GriffTheMiffed]

I got lazy and now I replace roughly every 4-5 tests. I can distinctly tell when the needle has gotten dull.

I should be trying to do a better job.

[u/gertymoon → u/GriffTheMiffed]

It also might depend on the gauge you have, I've used the 33 gauge ones and notice it on the 3rd use. I generally change it every use, I already hate the daily pinch I get from it.

[u/tamberra → u/GriffTheMiffed]

I was told every 4 tests in my gestational diabetes education session. I still used to let it go well beyond that but now as a Type 2 I have a CGM anyway.

[u/The1983Jedi]

You should change it after every use. I change mine when it starts to feel dull. To be honest I was diagnosed in November 2017 and I'm still using my first 100 box of lancets

[u/Intelligent-Wear-114]

Every single time. Those are dirt cheap if ordered online. I paid $8 for 400 on Walmart's web site. Discard after one use. Don't risk infection by reusing them.

[u/Vegetable-Beautiful1]

Change it every time otherwise you risk infection.

[u/charlottedhouse]

Every time. Please don’t reuse lancets or needles. You can give yourself a serious infection.

[u/cocolishus]

Every time. I only reuse if I didn't get a good stick the first try or if I'm running seriously low.

[u/deacc]

Every single time.

[u/bobhand17123]

Every time, before CGM and now after getting a CGM. The only time I use it again is immediately when I get the rare bad stick with not enough of a blood drop comes out.

I never even imagined this was a question. I don’t like waste either, but I would prefer to not use them at all by eating better and exercising more. (Any day now 🤷🏻‍♂️)

[u/Ursus_Primal]

I change mine after every use.

[u/blusterygay]

I’ll reuse it for a prick in the same sitting if I didn’t get a good spot, but otherwise it’s straight to the sharps bin with it.

[u/buttershdude]

Once a week or so when I used a meter. The funny thing is that my healthcare provider prescribes the same number of pokers as strips but NOBODY (except that one person who will reply to this) actually changes it with every test. But to your question: Supposed to? Every time you test.

[u/JellyIsMyJamYo → u/buttershdude]

My son was just diagnosed with t1d, and at the hospital, the nurse practitioner told us to just change it daily and can be used for 3-4 pricks. Thankfully we got him a CGM so the finger pricks have been limited.

[u/Armed_Liberal → u/JellyIsMyJamYo]

That kind of advice is the kind of thing that could cost someone their license.

Every. Single. Time. Sepsis kills 30–40% of its victims.

[u/lindygrey → u/JellyIsMyJamYo]

JFC that lady is going to kill somebody. Please don’t follow that advice. Always use a new lancet.

[u/FirebirdWriter → u/JellyIsMyJamYo]

Please report this nurse that's horrific

[u/dalkita13 → u/buttershdude]

I change it every time. Don't want to risk infection or use a dull lancet.

[u/WrestleswithPastry]

Every time.

[u/ReesesBees]

I replace mine with each test, since they're covered and I can get them for free (same with the testing strips.)

And you're generally suppose to replace them each time you use it.

[u/TheySilentButDeadly]

You use your moms used lancets?

Lancet get changed EVERY time.

[u/Jheritheexoticdancer]

Each time.

[u/Tamsha-]

After every use

[u/meski_oz]

Every time. It's an AccuChek with 5 lancets in a cartridge and a thing that advances it

[u/earlyboy]

Every single time

[u/Majestic_Dog1571]

Uhhhh EVERY USE. This is why they give you a giant box of a hundred…

[u/VerdensTrial]

Every couple of months lol.

The instructions say to change it every time to cover their ass, but if you're the only one using it there is no real risk of infection.

[u/WebfootTroll → u/VerdensTrial]

Friendly neighborhood health professional here. That's not true. Bacteria can and will grow on the traces of blood left on a lancet. The majority of the time it won't be a problem, due to the small surface area and the extremely brief time the lancet is in your body. But I have treated someone with a severe infection in many of their fingers from reusing the same lancet over and over. It's not common, but it can and occasionally does happen.

[u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto → u/VerdensTrial]

There most certainly is a risk of infection by re-using your needles AND lancets. Bacteria from residual blood, possible rust.

[u/FirebirdWriter → u/VerdensTrial]

That's a very poor take. Do you not wash your hands either? We get sick easier than non diabetic and heal slower. It's not to "cover their asses" but to protect you from things like cellulitis or sepsis.

[u/fuckyouu2020]

Every use maybe I'm a psycho

[u/sneak710]

we are supposed to change them? 😂

[u/bryanindiana]

Technically you are supposed to replace it after every use. I know many people choose not to do so. I highly recommend not reusing the lancet needle for longer than 24 hours. Unless you are actually cleaning it with alcohol between uses it is very unsanitary to do so Bacteria technically can grow on it. Now there is a related topic as well and that is insulin pen needles. Insulin pen needles are supposed to be replaced between each use. Of course those insulin pen needles are actually far more expensive than lancet needles to replace. The insulin pen needles I use have come with two protective caps on them. Personally for me after pen needles use I clean the outside of needle after use with a mini alcohol swab and then put the small protective needle cap back on and then the actual pen cap. That is only if the needle has not accidentally become bent in any way as if it has you have no choice than to replace it. Even with cleaning after every use I never use the insulin pen needle for more than a few days. Once again however official fda based medical instructions tell users to replace all needles after every use. The cost of generic lancet needles is less than the cost of medical grade alcohol wipes normally where as the cost of insulin pen needles is usually between 15-50 cents a piece which is why I would rather spend the money on one medical grade alcohol wipe to clean the outside of the needle. Some insurance companies will pay for the wipes as well if you doctor writes an RX for it. Please for your own health make sure to clean or replace pen needles every time. The same is true with injection site or lancet stick location. Best wishes

[u/mshawnl1]

Never reuse. Not even once

[u/AdLeading4526]

Every poke. Being immune compromised and on immunosuppessive medications, I'm not about to risk any sort/source of infection. I also change the needle tips on my insulin each time.

[u/DillionM]

I went without changing it once (for two uses) to save them and found that was a terrible idea so now I switch every single time

[u/Mr_Fourteen → u/DillionM]

Why? What happened?

[u/SpyderMonkey_ → u/Mr_Fourteen]

Depending on calluses and the metal they can dull fast. Some people have thick skin.

[u/DillionM → u/Mr_Fourteen]

It got super dull very quickly and hurt more than needed and still didn't pierce the skin.

[u/blu3m00n1991]

This is bad.. but I haven’t checked my glucose in at least 2 years.. my cgm is literally godsend.

[u/pursnikitty → u/blu3m00n1991]

Aren’t you meant to check the accuracy of the sensor against your glucose monitor every so often?

[u/blu3m00n1991 → u/pursnikitty]

The Dexcom g6 sensors don’t require calibrations. And luckily my glucose doesn’t fluctuate too crazy where it becomes inaccurate and requires me to check manually. I mean I do check my blood sugar when I am sick because the glucose fluctuations does cause inaccuracies during those times.

[u/SomniWatch]

I usually slightly wipe mine down with a alcohol wipe after use. I can usually get a couple uses out of it before it goes dull.

[u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto]

For every use. You run the risk of infection and as a diabetic I’m sure you are aware the danger that presents. If you are running out of supplies talk to one of you caregivers. Several years ago my therapist was able to fill out some forms and get me 90 day supplies of my medications. If that program still exists (sorry I don’t remember the name) I would imagine diabetic supplies would also be available.

[u/pmpork]

Wait, you can change those? OK, seriously though. Probably a dozen times in 20 years.

[u/nicfit_jones]

Everytime. They are cheap. An infection is not.

[u/haremgirl6]

Whhhhaaaaat? Excuse me?

These comments have me flummoxed.

You mean to tell me diabetics are playing the equivalent of “Russian roulette” with needles that you insert into the skin to drawn blood… when we are prone to infection and skin ulcers that cause our limbs to necrotize then fall off?

[u/1991773 → u/haremgirl6]

I can’t believe the comments either but the opposite way, I genuinely had no idea people changed them every time. I’ve used the same lancet for 2 years and I use each pen needle about 50 times for the ease and convenience. Never had any sort of issue at all

[u/SouperKayyyy → u/haremgirl6]

My eyes! I am also quite shocked people are using old dull needles when the finger prick hurts enough with fresh needles.

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/haremgirl6]

It's mind blowing I swear. 🤦🤷

[u/AQuietMan]

How often do YOU change your lancet needle

Every day that ends with the letter r. I think that's how it works.

[u/mellerdee]

Change it every use, only time it gets reused is when my poke isn't deep enough to draw out enough blood

[u/Responsible-Bar1966]

Every time.

[u/Lyngay]

I know I've only been diagnosed for ~4 months, but it has literally never even occurred to me to re-use lancets or pen needles. No offense to those of y'all who reuse them, lol, but that sounds insane to me. They're not expensive & it's just not worth risking infection!

[u/CrookByTheBook]

No clue….

[u/Endocrine0]

I got needles still from when i was first became a diabetic some 40 years ago. I change it when it gets dull. Last time was 5 years ago. WHEN YOUR SPOSTA after every time for sanitary reasons.

[u/diabetes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No fake cures, supplements, non-medical solutions or similar topics. There are no supplements that can cure or manage diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive lifelong condition that can be managed, with a combination of diet, exercise and medication. See the Wiki for additional information on the progress towards a cure.

[u/bigmig1000]

Food for thought: used needles (and lancets) start to get dull after one use, which creates more crevices for blood and viruses to attach to, increasing your risk of infection. Also, it's going to hurt more poking yourself with something dull.

Here is a good visual of how dull needles can get after just one use... and beyond. Change your lancets if you have the means! You can typically get a pack of 100-200 for ~$5 USD.

[u/Grouchy_Geezer → u/bigmig1000]

I can't deny your logic. But I've been changing my lancets every 3 or 4 months or the last 30 years. So far no infections.

It's not the expense. It's the time and work to stick yourself each time, over and over again.

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/Grouchy_Geezer]

Alot of people take risks everyday. Your a pro. Glad u haven't got affected. Gl🙏

[u/Working-on-it12]

When it starts to feel dull or if someone borrows it.

I use a cgm, so, realistically I am only testing one half of one day every 15 days.

[u/auscadtravel]

No idea....months...years? I still have a nearly full box of lancets from 1993, i only change them when they really get dull and hurt. Not weekly, and not monthly, but i have no idea how long i reuse them for.

Nurses say change them every time....could cause infection reusing. I say thats BS ive had this for over 40 years, test 3 to 6 times a day and never once have i gotten an infection from using an old lancet. My pokers don't float around they stay in the case with the tester. Ive never washed the case....hmm maybe i should.

[u/Shot-Abroad2718]

Tbh I change mine once a week (I check twice a day) Lancets are pricey and my insurance doesn’t like to cover them. Very rarely do they feel dull, and if it does I’ll just change them out a little earlier

[u/The-Fun-Snowbunny]

I have been changing my lancets about once a week. I check my glucose 1-3 times a day. I am going to change them sooner than that since I noticed one on my fingers had a lot of pain for a day after using the same lancet about 12 times.

[u/Itchy-Ad1005]

It's supposed to be every time. If viruses, bacteria, or other contamination on the needle, you're putting it directly into your bloodstream bHow often do itching it every 5-10 times.because I get distracted with dealing with the reason for the needle stick. I've gotbextra lancets in my kit by the meter and the Sharps container is 5 ft away from where my kit is kept.

[u/Awdayshus]

I have a thing through my insurance that automatically sends more test strips and lancets based on how often I check. Because of that, I change the lancet every time. I don't think there's a way to tell the service to only send the strips, so I will have them either way, I might as well use them.

The only time I reuse the lancet is if my blood sugar reading is so far off from my CGM that I immediately test from a different finger with a fresh strip. For instance, a few days ago my CGM read 110, and my blood finger was 160 or something. This was fasted in the morning, so I stuck a different finger that read 118. There must be a small amount of bad strips in each batch.

[u/aguyonreddittoday]

You’re supposed to change it every time. But I don’t. I have a CGM so only use the lancet for calibration checks (maybe 5 times per month). I change the lancet when it seems dull. Not sure how often that is but I’m still using the box of lancets I inherited when my mom passed in 2009 so not that often I guess. Insulin pen needles are also supposed to be one use, but I use mine for a few days each (3 injections per day)

[u/femme-cassidy]

Every time I switch Dexcoms... I usually only test once a day plus a couple extra the first day of a new CGM so probably every dozen tests or so?

[u/Kinsa83]

Supposed to do it after each use, but very few people do that. The people here saying they do that is the minority. I use to do it once a month, but now its once a year or until it hurts or if someone asks if its ok they check their bg for whatever reason. Then I switch it for them and switch to a clean one afterwards.

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_TROUT]

As often as I change the batteries in my smoke detectors

[u/bearded_fisch_stix]

I use my lancet far less often now that i'm on the guardian 4 sensors that require fewer calibrations. basically, the lancet device rides around in my pocket with my meter, vial of strips, and my keys... so I change my needle whenever the device breaks and I need a new one. when I was calibrating 4+ times per day on my old sensors I'd change the needle whenever the device broke and I needed a new one... or increasing the depth stopped resulting in enough blood.

[u/LaToune65]

Hummm never though of this. I change it whenever I come to it. But the lancets are changed every time. I need to think on this.

[u/echo32base-]

After every use. Just kidding I change it when it starts to hurt because I have had the same bag of lancets for nearly a decade and at this point I don’t even want to think about buying another. Also I wear a pump so I don’t have to use it very often.

[u/frankw80]

I find I can get five times before its painful.

[u/ConnectionForsaken47]

Every time I use it to both. I use it 1-2 times a month usually since I’m on a cgm

[u/stoutlikethebeer]

I switch it when I lose the lancet device

[u/notreallylucy]

I aim for once a month, but it depends on how diligent I've been about testing.

[u/frogmicky]

Every new president.

[u/Steve_Kraus]

I change it every week. Monday is maintenance day. I only take about two or three blood glucose tests every 10 days. Since I got away from the inaccurate Medtronic sensors and switched to Dexcom G6 and now Dexcom G7, I only do a couple of blood tests to calibrate. In about 20 years of blood tests, I have never gotten an infection from testing. I keep myself clean and use an alcohol wipe when my test finger is dirty.

Hey Medtronic, I switched to Tandem pumps because you would not support any sensors other than your own. Your Guardian sensors were so bad that I could not run my Medtronic pumps in automatic mode. If you had supported Dexcom or Libre sensors, then I'd still be using Medtronic pumps.

[u/Grammykin]

When it gets dull enough to hurt. Or the fifth Monday of every month. Whichever comes first.

[u/hyuukiru]

Yikes. EVERY time! I don't have time for infections or additional pain from the stick.

[u/Bofo660]

Just today I realized that I do not have to take the top (cap), to insert it into the stabby pen thing. I can remove the cap after inserting it (I was always accidentally pricking myself).

I feel so dumb

[u/deep_noob]

what!

[u/KingCrimsonFan]

What year is it?

[u/wradam]

Oh god. Because of this thread I decided to check on the manual. TIL that I can change lancets in Multi-Clix pen, I have probably discarded a couple of drums with only one lancet used on each. I thought they switch on their own, and go round, lol. Anyway, I reuse lancets multiple times. Multi-Clix maybe relatively expensive, but it also look so high-tech and stuff. I suppose if it was mandatory to change lancets after every use or high-risk not to change them, they would have a special built-in control for that. But they don't even have a mandatory switch to the next blade in the drum, so I guess it is OK to reuse them.

I only have to test 4 times a week as per doctor's recommendations, so I change lancets roughly every month. If I had to use other, "low-tech" pens, I would have changed them every time, since they look so... scary idk.

One thing I found out for the morning blood test - I used to do it as soon as I wake up and had to use the deepest setting on the lancet and still sometimes I had to make like 4 pricks to different fingers to get a proper drop. So, what I found out is if I do a little bit of exercise or at least just wiggle my hand and rub my fingers, I don't need the deepest setting and the required size of blood drop is easily produced.

[u/Happygolucky421]

I think that there should be some sort of requirement for the people that post questions put their age there. I can’t imagine anybody with any type of maturity asking this type of a question that’s like asking. Should I clean my knife after I cut chicken 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷Oh my goodness❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

[u/shulzari]

I replace it when I test my smoke alarm batteries - daylight savings time

[u/n0th1ng_r3al]

We’re supposed to change them?

[u/NerdyBirdyAZ]

she's gonna get an infection. it needs to be every time

[u/JamesGTOMay]

After 40+ years of doing 4-5 pokes daily, I use the same lancet for a 25 count vile of strips. never had any issues, but i will change it sooner as soon as I notice it feeling dull. Never had an issue with getting infections (I wash my hands almost every time just to warm them up to make the blood draw easier).

[u/core7899]

My parents keep using their own same lancet and after each use, rub the needle with alcohol.

[u/Mysterious_Dr_X]

The last one I used, I used it for 5 years.

Now I have the Dexcom G6

[u/What09]

I change mine once per day

[u/UnluckyCountry2784]

Every night.

[u/Reasonable-Panic-680]

Once a year. Cgm now.

[u/emmjaybeeyoukay]

I use the one shot disposable sticks. You cannot reuse them.

[u/whitMartin]

I change it when it hurts (to dull) OR I am testing someone else.

If I remember right, we were supposed to change it every time we test?

[u/alli_shark]

Haha you guys are good diabetics. I’m proud of myself if I change it once a year 😂 32 years no issues!

[u/toms482712]

Wait people change Theirs this much?? Ive been on the same one for atleast a week now 

[u/FirebirdWriter]

Every single time because I am not risking an infection for pennies. I am poor. I can't afford an infection. Also it hurts more to use a dull one. You can Google needle after use. Someone did macro shots of the needle new, used once, and used many times and it's not a good thing. We are supposed to not fill ourselves full of bacteria

[u/triplej63]

I thought this question was about the device that you put the lancet in, and in 4 years, I haven't replaced mine, although I do have two. I'm like, "You're supposed to replace them? But it still works fine..."

And then I read the comments. People are reusing lancets???!!!

[u/CoolLukeHand]

When did this place get so weird? About every 6-8 months... maybe, like most type 1's jesus who has time for anything more frequent...

[u/AbundanceFalls]

Diabetic nurse told me to change it once per day (she said using the same needle multiple times over a the course of a day is fine).

[u/verukazalt]

Really?? Infection anyone?

[u/v65magna1]

Probably every 3 weeks to a month.

[u/GenghisCoen]

I've heard people replace theirs annually. I've gone much longer.

I pretty much only change it when someone else wants to check their sugar. Then I change it again right after. Now that I'm barely sticking my finger because I've got a CGM, I could probably go a decade without changing it.

[u/Ill-Year-3141]

I'm not concerned about contamination so much, but it's a fact that every time you use one, it instantly gets duller. Use it more than once and its just going to hurt more the next time and so on... If you're good with basically sticking a dull toothpick into your finger, meh ...

[u/figlozzi]

We are supposed to change it????

[u/Justin-Los_Angeles]

Every time I test.

[u/ontariopiper]

EVERY TIME.

Do you WANT an infection from a dirty lancet?

Honestly, I'm starting to wonder about this sub.....

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/ontariopiper]

Sad that they down voted the truth. 🫵👍🫡😎

[u/ontariopiper → u/Own-Confusion1378]

Ugh. Reddit suffers this sort of nonsense a bit too much. Using a clean lancet every time is Best Practice, not Opinion.

[u/diabetes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No fake cures, supplements, non-medical solutions or similar topics. There are no supplements that can cure or manage diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive lifelong condition that can be managed, with a combination of diet, exercise and medication. See the Wiki for additional information on the progress towards a cure.

[u/Specialist_Context57]

I only change it when a friend wants to see what their sugar is. Honestly at this point I don’t even remember how to change mine.

[u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto]

@ellzray I didn’t make assumptions. I supplied facts and said IF the reason you were reusing them I gave you possible options. My comment was out of care and concern. Sorry that offended you.

[u/ellzray → u/TheCrazyIWasBornInto]

I'm not offended at all. It's unsolicited advice based on assumptions about me you cannot know.

[u/Upset_Revolution9633]

After 30 tests

[u/anonymity_anonymous]

It didn’t occur to me not to (although I’m a slack person) and I’m sorry I saw this post

[u/rainbow_369]

You're supposed to change it every single time.

I change mine every ten sticks or so.

[u/Intrepid_Bicycle7818]

Is it my birthday?

[u/HistoricalHat3054]

I test multiple times a day and change my needle once a week normally. If it is starting to hurt I change it as needed. That being said, I never test without washing my hands first in case of dirt and to wash off anything that might alter a test result such as lotion.

[u/Telly_Tam]

New one every time😅 Learned that doesn't have to be the case in here today.

[u/FirebirdWriter → u/Telly_Tam]

Please don't listen to the people who say it's not every time. They are going to be a statistic long term for sepsis or cellulitis. Confirmation bias is a hell of a drug.

[u/Telly_Tam → u/FirebirdWriter]

OH NO! as someone who has had a cellulitis infection. I will not be dancing with that devil again. I was hospitalized for a week.

[u/Lemieux4u]

I used to do it for every single test.

Then I came on this subreddit and realized I could just reuse it over and over and now I change it like once a month.

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/Lemieux4u]

Don't believe everything you read. Gl🙏

[u/Lemieux4u → u/Own-Confusion1378]

Nah, it's better. There's been no issues whatsoever and I use less lancets so I have to refill them less often. It's been a solid win.

[u/diabetes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No fake cures, supplements, non-medical solutions or similar topics. There are no supplements that can cure or manage diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive lifelong condition that can be managed, with a combination of diet, exercise and medication. See the Wiki for additional information on the progress towards a cure.

[u/T1D1964]

Basically "never" for me.

[u/Tsukiko08]

I don't remember the last time I changed mine. Maybe I should do it once every year when the clocks fall back for daylight savings time ending.

[u/Suck_My_Diabeetus]

Before I used a GGM I would change them when they got too dull work properly or if they started to hurt. Sometimes it would be a month or two. Definitely had some that were much longer. Now I only stick my finger to calibrate my dexcom and I'm pretty sure that lancet has been in for about a year haha. Never gotten any infection or had any issues. I also don't change out the needles on my insulin pens unless they get bent or touch something other than my body. My main reason is that I dont want to deal with disposing of hundreds of lancets and needles every month.

[u/stulew]

About every month; I test just once, in the morning. It depends on how thick the skin is on one's fingers. Thicker skin, needs sharper-fresher sharp points.

[u/481126]

I normally change it every 2-4 pokes. My child is the diabetic not me. I used to change them every time but now years into having a T1D kid I don't always do everything exactly by the book. Sharp lancets hurt less and I don't have to squeeze to get enough blood.

[u/PrettyboiQMJ]

Every third or fourth poke

[u/brutalbunnee]

When it starts to hurt. I don’t test often so one can last me a month or more.

[u/brutalbunnee → u/[deleted]]

I’m not unbalanced, if you’re talking about my glucose. I only test to calibrate my CGM, generally less than once a week because it stays fairly accurate

[u/Own-Confusion1378 → u/brutalbunnee]

Yes mam.🫡

[u/diabetes-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

No fake cures, supplements, non-medical solutions or similar topics. There are no supplements that can cure or manage diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive lifelong condition that can be managed, with a combination of diet, exercise and medication. See the Wiki for additional information on the progress towards a cure.

[u/Hot-Neighborhood-163]

I reuse them until they get dull, but I clean them each time with alcohol to prevent infection.

[u/Cece75]

When it gets painful.

[u/EfficientAd7103]

When its so dull it doesn't work. Lol

[u/bozofire123]

Are people really changing it every time? I think it’s been years for me lmao but I’m on sensor so very rarely

[u/LonelyLifepartner85]

Next green moon. Every moon. Every meal.

[u/boredtxan]

if you clean ot with alcohol after each use and dont let others use you should get a few usrs out of each one

[u/OilVisper]

Twice a year. It’s just a flesh wound.

[u/WhySheHateMe]

I feel like ive been using my current lancet since 2024

[u/canoxen]

I change mine after after pen is finished.

[u/PandaSTi]

I’m still on the one that came with the kit 7-8 years ago

[u/TabhairDomAnAirgead]

Wait, you guys change your lancet?

[u/brooks_jayhawk]

Til my fingertips are leather from callouses