I live in San Jose in Northern Calif and would like to do get lactate testing at a lab. Any suggestions, and after finding one, any tips on doing them? what to eat before, what general fitness level is most accurate, how much rest before, etc?
I have seen posts of people doing their own, and that there can be a bit of variability. I read elsewhere that stopping to do your own testing was not as accurate; that was after I bought a unit from Lactate.com a couple of years ago, never used it still have it.
Hello, just seeing this post now.
I would highly recommend just doing it yourself.
yes it takes practice.
yes once in a while you will make a mistake.
However, you can do this more often than going to a lab, you can do this while training, say during a 40m tempo piece take lactate every 10m.
I can do lactate without stopping … with some practice so will you.
The practice time and cost savings will be greatly worth it.
Steve
Thanks, this is very helpful. I have a Lactate Scout and strips box gathering dust because I didn’t think if I did it myself it would be useful.
I got a message from UCSF today about lactate testing. They are booked for 2 months and the cost is $299 (much more expensive than Kaiser at Sacramento), so you are right, doing it myself would save me a lot of money.
I will look around for articles on how to do it right if self-serve, given that I saw a post recently that said half the time it is not done correctly at home. Open to suggestions.
Half the time is wrong, maybe one or two lactates every few tests.
I do not use that analzyer so can’t be exactly sure with my tips.
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have a table beside your training station that is tall enough you don’t have to bend over to reach your supplies.
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Make sure there are edges on the surface so nothing can roll off.
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pre-open a number of strips that you think you will need
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rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
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box of kleenex
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use 4 or 5m steps, be consistent every single time. If doing a tempo interval, break into 1/3s for taking lactate, one lactate means nothing, you always need a trend.
taking a lactate
Not a fancy video…just did it before writing this post.
Note that I gently squeeze finger tip prior to lancing. This allows blood to pool.
When you are trying to get a drop of blood, gently massage the finger, don’t push really hard to do so.
Use the side of your finger, not your finger tip.
Most people who have trouble getting a big enough drop because they use to fine of a lancet needle. You need to try a few different ones to see what works for you.
This entire process should take less than 30s, maybe 20s once you get confident.
I always start with about minute left before I want the lactate.
2 Likes
Spot on (pun intended)
Thanks!!
