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Diabetes
Blood Tests

This test is ideal to determine if you have diabetes, if you are at high risk of developing diabetes, or if you wonder they might be at high risk of developing diabetes due to being overweight, have a large waist size and low levels of exercise

Diabetes Blood Tests

Diabetes can be a life-long condition that some people are born with or it can be a chronic health condition that impacts you in adulthood.

Diabetes is a condition that needs to be treated. With considered treatment, diabetes can be carefully managed. Without treatment, diabetes can be a very serious and life-threatening condition that will greatly affect your quality of life and health. The earlier diabetes is detected, the greater the opportunity for a healthier outcome.

Our diabetes blood test will look at the performance of your blood sugar levels over the last 3 months and will be able to indicate if you are diabetes-free, in the pre-diabetic stage or if you are suffering from Type 2 diabetes.

During the blood test for diabetes, we can also check for cholesterol and liver and kidney function.

Why take a blood test for Diabetes

The food that we eat is broken down into glucose (or sugar) during the digestion process. The glucose produced is released into the bloodstream as the source of our energy. As the glucose hits the bloodstream, it acts as a signal to the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin controls the sugar levels in your body. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot control the amount of glucose in your bloodstream and it means that the glucose in your bloodstream is beyond what your body can handle or tolerate.

Diabetes does not have a cure, but it does require careful treatment. If left untreated, diabetes will cause ever more health issues over time. Early detection can be helpful in controlling and managing this chronic health condition.

Diabetes has several different types, but the main two are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 occurs because the body is not able to naturally produce the levels of insulin that are required to manage sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. This happens because the immune system in people with Type 1 diabetes has been pre-programmed to attack and destroy insulin-producing cells. This means that insulin is not produced and must be injected into the body via daily injections. Type 1 diabetes is present from birth and is not linked to body mass or age.

Type 2 is linked to weight, age and lifestyle and will impact when the blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. This means that the body cannot deal with the levels of glucose in the blood and the body is not able to process it with insulin. The glucose instead stays in the blood stream and the body’s cells cannot respond to the blood sugar in the way that they are meant to.

While Type 1 diabetes is treated with daily insulin injections, Type 2 diabetes is managed by making lifestyle changes. These include eating a diet that is comprised of healthy grains, vegetables and lean protein. It is also very important to stay active and undertake regular exercise. Losing weight is helpful in the control of Type 2 diabetes. Some people may find medication helpful in controlling their Type 2 diabetes.

Testing for diabetes

The test can be performed using a small amount of blood from a finger prick, which you can do yourself.

How often should I have a diabetes blood test?

We recommend testing your blood for diabetes, as a routine check yearly.

Other Questions

  • Family history of Type 2 diabetes
  • Overweight
  • Obese
  • Tiredness
  • Excessive thirst
  • Excessive need to urinate
  • Genital itching
  • Weight loss

A blood test will check on:

  • Diabetes

For best results (if medically suitable) it is advisable to fast (water is allowed) 12 hours prior to the test which needs to be taken first thing in the morning and posted on the same day on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Collection method: Finger prick
Results available: 2-3 days after the sample has reached the laboratory

HbA1c

HbA1c also known as glycated haemoglobin or glycosylated haemoglobin. This test will measure how well your blood sugar level has been controlled over the past 3 months. The results can be indicative of pre or Type 2 diabetes.

How it Works

How1 512 Free shipping Red 01w - BloodTest.co.uk
1. Order and Receive Your Test

Order your Blood Test.
Receive it directly at home or work.
Delivered by courier with Free shipping.

2 Fingerprick Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
2. Take the Easy Finger-prick Blood Test

Activate your test online.
Collect 2-3 drops of blood.

3 Pre paid sample Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
3. Freepost your Blood sample to our laboratories

Use the pre-paid package to post to our laboratories.
Simply drop it into your nearest high-priority Royal Mail postbox.

4 Laboratory analysis Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
4. Our laboratory team run the tests

Tests are run by our staff in a clean and secure environment.
All possible measures are taken to keep Vampires out.

5 Secure online results Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
5. Receive Your Results within 7 days

We will email you to inform you that your blood test results are ready.
Login to your account to review the results.

6 Track your levels Red 512w - BloodTest.co.uk
6. Track your levels over time

With regular ongoing tests, you can track your results.
Check if you’re improving healthily or where changes could be made.

What’s In The Test?

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Home to laboratory kit
  • Blood Test
  • A prepaid return envelope (UK & Ireland only)
  • Two single-use lancets
  • One blood collection tube
  • One blood collection tube label
  • One plastic blood collection tube case
  • Two adhesive plasters
  • A cleansing wipe