Diabetes (HbA1c) Blood Test Kit
£45
Your sample goes to a UKAS accredited laboratory meeting ISO 15189 standards.
After you receive your order confirmation email, please reply with your date of birth.
Venous Blood Collection Kit
This kit is sent to you and taken to your chosen clinic. The phlebotomist will collect your sample using the materials provided.
- 1Vacutainer blood collection tubes
- 2Needle and butterfly needle
- 3Tourniquet
- 4Alcohol swab
- 5Cotton wool and gauze
- 6Adhesive plaster
- 7Biohazard specimen bag
- 8Prepaid return envelope (Royal Mail Tracked 24)
- 9Laboratory request form
- 10Instructions for the phlebotomist
HbA1c (haemoglobin A1c, also called glycated haemoglobin or glycosylated haemoglobin) measures the percentage of haemoglobin in your red blood cells that has glucose permanently attached to it. Haemoglobin is the protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen around your body. When blood glucose levels are elevated, glucose molecules attach to haemoglobin through a process called glycation—the higher your average blood sugar, the more haemoglobin becomes glycated. Because red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 2-3 months (around 120 days), measuring HbA1c gives a weighted average of your blood glucose levels over this period, with more recent weeks having greater influence on the result. HbA1c is the primary test used for screening for and monitoring diabetes. The diagnostic thresholds are well-established: a level below 42 mmol/mol (or 6.0% in the older percentage units) is considered normal; 42-47 mmol/mol (6.0-6.4%) indicates prediabetes (also called impaired glucose regulation or non-diabetic hyperglycaemia); and 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or above indicates diabetes. Prediabetes is an important finding—it means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. At this stage, lifestyle interventions including weight loss, increased physical activity, and dietary modifications can often prevent or significantly delay progression to type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown that intensive lifestyle intervention can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by over 50% in people with prediabetes. For people with established diabetes, HbA1c is used to monitor blood sugar control over time. Most people with diabetes aim for an HbA1c target below 48-58 mmol/mol (6.5-7.5%), though individual targets vary based on factors including age, duration of diabetes, other health conditions, and risk of hypoglycaemia. Persistently elevated HbA1c indicates poor blood sugar control and significantly increases the risk of diabetes-related complications including cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke), diabetic kidney disease (nephropathy), diabetic eye disease (retinopathy), and nerve damage (neuropathy). Bringing HbA1c down reduces these risks—each 1% (11 mmol/mol) reduction in HbA1c is associated with meaningful reductions in complication risk. Results outside the normal range may need a follow-up with your GP.
This test is for screening and information only — it is not a medical diagnosis or professional advice. Please have your results reviewed by a qualified doctor or healthcare provider who can explain what they mean for your personal health situation. If your results show anything outside the normal range, or if you're worried about your health, see your doctor as soon as you can. Don't change any medications or treatments based on these results alone — always talk to your healthcare provider first.
NO CLINICS, NO QUEUES, NO HASSLE
Four steps to clarity
01
Pick your panel
Browse over 200 clinically designed test kits and choose the one that fits your goals.
02
Kit to your door
Everything you need arrives in discreet packaging with step-by-step instructions inside.
03
Collect your sample
Follow the simple instructions in your kit — whether it's a finger-prick at home or a venous draw at a partner clinic.
04
Insights delivered
Clear, easy-to-understand results sent to you online with actionable health guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Your kit includes a single-use lancet device. Clean your finger with the provided wipe, prick your fingertip, and fill the collection tube to the line indicated. Full step-by-step instructions are included in your kit.
Results are typically available within 2 working days of your sample reaching our UKAS accredited laboratory. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready.
If any of your results fall outside the normal range, we recommend booking an appointment with your GP to discuss them. Our results include reference ranges and guidance.
Unless specifically stated in your test instructions, fasting is not required. Check the product description for any specific preparation requirements for this test.