Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Testing
How to check your Glycated Haemoglobin levels with a home fingerprick blood test kit
What Is A Glycated Haemoglobin Test For?
A Glycated Haemoglobin test is also known as a Haemoglobin A1c or Glycosylated haemoglobin test.
The Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Test allows you to accurately check your levels of Glycated Haemoglobin in a fingerprick blood sample.
HbA1c is a type of haemoglobin that forms naturally in the body, when sugars bind with haemoglobin in the blood.
This process happens slowly so the test indicates your average blood sugar levels over the last 2 to 3 months.
This will illustrate if your blood sugar levels are staying within the optimum range and indicate your risk of developing diabetes.
What If Glycated Haemoglobin Test Levels Are High?
A high HbA1c means you have too much sugar in your blood. A level between 42 and 47 mmol/mol suggests a high risk of developing diabetes, with a result of over 48 mmol/mol indicating that diabetes has likely already developed.
Note that if you are aware that you have diabetes, and your HbA1c is below the target of 48 mmol/mol it is likely that your diabetes is well controlled.
HbA1c is a continuous risk factor for type 2 diabetes - this means there is no fixed point when you are (or are not) at risk. As such, while the 'high risk' of developing diabetes starts at 42 mmol/mol, it is advisable to maintain your blood level as low as possible within the normal range.
The best way to lower your blood sugar levels is through balanced, healthy eating and having a more active lifestyle or fitness program. We advise testing every three months if you wish to monitor your progress.
What If Glycated Haemoglobin Test Levels Are Low?
If you have an abnormal type of haemoglobin, for example if you suffer from sickle cell disease , accurate results will depend on the method used to measure your HbA1c. If you have haemolysis or heavy bleeding, your test results may be falsely low. Finally, if you are iron deficient, this may raise your HbA1c result.
How To Test Glycated Haemoglobin?
You can check your Glycated Haemoglobin levels by buying a home fingerprick blood test kit from just £39 using the following test kit:
Expert Analysis
Evidence-based health checks analysed in an accredited laboratory.
Rapid Results
From 24 hour turnaround with the convenience of home sampling.