Blood tests & health checks
Diabetes check
HbA1c, your average blood sugar over the last two to three months
HbA1cFinger prickResults in about 5 minutes
HbA1c measures the proportion of your haemoglobin that has sugar attached to it, which reflects your average blood glucose over roughly three months rather than what you ate this morning. It is the test used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, and to keep an eye on both once diagnosed.
Who it is for
- Anyone with a family history of type 2 diabetes
- People carrying extra weight around the middle, or with high blood pressure
- Anyone with thirst, tiredness or passing urine more than usual
- People already diagnosed who want a check between GP reviews
Getting ready
No fasting needed, so you can come in at any time of day
Also called
Blood sugar, Glucose, Prediabetes, HbA1c
What happens next
Results in about 5 minutes. The pharmacist goes through what the number means with you, and tells you plainly if it is something to take to your GP