Diabetes

Why have a Diabetes blood test?

A diabetes test is recommended for individuals who are at risk of developing diabetes or who are experiencing symptoms of diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body's ability to produce or use insulin, which leads to high blood sugar levels. If left untreated, diabetes can cause serious health problems such as nerve damage, kidney damage, and cardiovascular disease.

Who may be at risk?

Risk factors for diabetes include being overweight or obese, having a family history of diabetes, being over the age of 25, being physically inactive, and having high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue, and slow healing of cuts and bruises.

How does the blood test work?

A diabetes blood test is a simple and effective way to find out if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing it. The only way to find out if you or a loved one has diabetes is from blood tests that measure your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. This can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye damage. Early detection and management of diabetes can help prevent or delay these complications.

One of the most common blood tests for diabetes is the HbA1c test, which measures your average blood glucose levels for the last two to three months. This test gives a good indication of how well your diabetes is being controlled and can help you and your healthcare team make informed decisions about your treatment.

What does my result mean?

If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%). Knowing your HbA1c level and what you can do to lower it will help you reduce your risk of devastating complications.

Having a diabetes blood test is a key step in taking control of your health and reducing your risk of developing diabetes or its complications.

Click below to download a PDF booklet with information on all of the health tests we offer: