Our Diabetes Test measures your HbA1c levels and is a reliable risk indicator for developing pre-diabetes and diabetes.
The Diabetes Test is a quick and easy home-to-lab finger-prick blood test that measures glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in your blood. Also, HbA1c measures your average blood glucose (sugar) levels over the past three months. As a result, this test is a helpful indicator and allows for early detection of risk for diabetes.
Along with measuring your HbA1c level in your blood, you will also receive guidance on how to lower your level to decrease your risk of developing diabetes and how to take small steps to improve your health and well-being.
Our expert laboratory performed our clinically proven test, assessing your glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in your blood with a simple home-to-laboratory blood test.
Since 1996, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has risen from 1.4 million to 3.5 million. Besides, around three in five cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and being active.
What is glycosylated haemoglobin a1c hba1c?
Much of our food is turned into glucose for our bodies to use for energy. However, the pancreas makes a hormone called insulin to help glucose get into our cells. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use it as well as it should. Further, this causes glucose to build up in your blood.
Haemoglobin (Hb) molecules, a component of the red cells in the blood, contain iron and carry oxygen around the body, delivering it to cells. Meanwhile, the bone marrow produces red blood cells, including haemoglobin, which live for around three months. During its life, glucose molecules, one by one, “stick” to the haemoglobin molecules. For instance, the more glucose in the bloodstream, the more sticks to the haemoglobin.
Research has shown that the amount of HbA1c in the blood closely reflects the average level of glucose circulating in the blood over the last three months.
Monitoring HbA1c, therefore, allows for early detection of risk for diabetes and associated conditions.
Why is this a vital health check?
Several factors can cause high blood glucose levels, leading to high HbA1c levels.
Over a while, high glucose levels in your blood can seriously damage your heart, eyes, feet, and kidneys. These are the most common complications of diabetes. Having diabetes increases your risk of the following:
Cardiovascular disease
Kidney Disease
Eye Disease
Amputations
Depression
Neuropathy (damage to the nerves)
Sexual dysfunction
Complications in pregnancy
Dementia
Reduced life expectancy and increased mortality
Who is the diabetes test suitable for?
Diabetes tests are suitable for a wide range of people, including:
Those who are overweight are concerned about developing diabetes. (Please note: not all people with diabetes are obese, but statistics show that 80-85 per cent of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight. The fatter and the more inactive you are, the higher your risk.);
People of South Asian descent and African-Caribbean or Black African descent;
Women with a waist measurement higher than 31.5in (80cm) have an increased risk of diabetes;
Men: White or Black men with a waist of 37 inches (94cm) or more have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. For Asian men, the figure is 35in (90cm) or more;
those with a family history of diabetes. The closer the relative is, the higher the risk.
This test is also suitable for those who are suffering from the following symptoms:
Tiredness
Lethargy
Blurred vision
Cuts or sores that take a long time to heal
Itching skin or yeast infections
Excessive thirst, dry mouth
Frequent urination
Leg pain
Diabetes test*
*Diabetes Test (HbA1c) results are provided for informational purposes and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use Diabetes Test results to diagnose or treat medical conditions. If you feel unwell or suspect a medical problem, promptly contact your GP.
Please note: this test is only available in England, Scotland and Wales.
Excellent practitioner who is very caring and knowledgeable. I Would highly recommend him.
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Are you concerned about developing diabetes? Our Diabetes Test measures your HbA1c levels and is a reliable risk indicator for developing pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Expert laboratory testing and analysis
Supporting guidebook provided to help you make effective lifestyle changes
Convenient, prepaid postage service* – no need to visit our laboratory
This test is only available in England, Scotland and Wales
Since 1996, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has risen from 1.4 million to 3.5 million. Around three in five cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by merely maintaining a healthy weight, eating well and being active. So, how can you take action?
The Diabetes Test is a quick and easy home-to-lab finger-prick blood test that measures glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in your blood. HbA1c measures your average blood glucose (sugar) levels over the past three months. As a result, this test is a helpful indicator and allows for early detection of risk for diabetes.
Along with measuring your HbA1c level in your blood, you will also receive guidance on how to lower your level to decrease your risk of developing diabetes and how to take small steps to improve your health and well-being.
What does the kit include?
2 x Sterile Lancets
Yellow lancets gently prick the skin through the click of a button
2 x Absorbent Wands & Containers
The mini-wands absorb a small amount of blood
1 x Plaster
Seals the tiny pin-prick mark on your finger and keeps it clean
1 x Alcohol-free cleansing wipe sachet
Clears dirt and kills bacteria on the skin
1 x Customer Details Form
Sign the Customer Details Form
1 x Prepaid Envelope*
Post your sample back to us, fuss-free
*Your kit may contain only one absorbent wand and container. Please proceed as usual if this is the case, as we only need one sample.
YorkTest's Diabetes Test contains all you need to take a small blood sample in your home. The collected finger-prick blood sample is then posted to YorkTest's fully accredited partner laboratory for analysis.
Our laboratory will test your blood sample to the same stringent standards as hospital HbA1c tests, which they have used for many years. Besides, the sample collection method and associated stability and transport of the blood samples comply with the essential requirements of the In Vitro Diagnostic Device Directive.
For who is this test not suitable?
The HbA1C testing service is not suitable for those in the below categories:
You are under the age of 18
You suffer from anaemia.
You have had your spleen removed
You are pregnant or breastfeeding
You are suffering from blood-borne disorders
You have been diagnosed with diabetes
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes. You can't make insulin when you've got type 1 diabetes, a lifelong condition. Type 1 diabetes can appear at any time in someone's life after destroying pancreas cells, which produce insulin. It isn't clear why the damage occurred.
If you've got type 2 diabetes, it's slightly different. Your insulin either can't work effectively, or you can't produce enough of it. Type 2 diabetes usually appears in adults. However, this diagnosis seems frequent in younger overweight people and certain ethnic groups. A change can reduce the risk of its development in lifestyle.
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes through family genes is much higher than type 1 diabetes.
About 90 per cent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. We all need insulin to live because it does an essential job. To clarify, it allows the glucose in our blood to enter our cells and fuel our bodies. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body still breaks down carbohydrates from your food and drink and turns them into glucose. The pancreas responds to this by releasing insulin. But because this insulin can't work correctly, blood glucose levels keep rising. As a result, the body releases more insulin. For some people with type 2 diabetes, this can eventually tire the pancreas out, meaning their body makes less and less insulin. That causes even higher blood glucose levels.
How common is diabetes?
Diabetes prevalence in the UK is estimated to rise to 5 million by 2025. Type 2 diabetes, in particular, has been growing unusually and is now one of the world's most common long-term health conditions.
Worryingly, around 1.1 million people in the UK have diabetes without a medical diagnosis. YorkTest's HbA1c testing service raises awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and helps people understand how a healthy lifestyle can help reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes test*
*Diabetes Test (HbA1c) results are provided for informational purposes and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use Diabetes Test results for diagnosing or treating medical or health conditions. If you feel unwell or suspect a medical problem, promptly contact your GP.
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Excellent practitioner who is very caring and knowledgeable. I Would highly recommend him.