A novel five-microlitre capillary system for home glucose monitoring.

Improvement in the control of diabetic patients is aided by a knowledge of blood glucose levels during a 'normal' (non-hospitalised) day. We have devised a 5 microliter capillary tube collection system as a 'kit' for home use by diabetics. Blood collected into 5 microliter capillary tubes is washed into a protein precipitant by the patient. The completed kit is posted to the laboratory for analysis. The technique has achieved a high degree of patient acceptability. Subsequent analysis involves the addition of a single reagent. Reagents, patient samples, and standards are stable, and the precision of the technique compares favourably with our routine glucose procedure.