There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.

Why Is Alternate Site Testing Less Painful?
Your fingertips are full of nerve endings (receptors), which make the fingertips feel pain more readily. Other body sites such as the forearm have fewer nerve endings per square inch than the fingertips, thus resulting in less pain.

There are 18.2 million people in the United States, or 6.3% of the population, who have diabetes. While an estimated 13 million have been diagnosed with diabetes, unfortunately, 5.2 million people (or nearly one-third) are unaware that they have the disease.