Peadair - I have been on annual blood tests for a few years now. Most often, I do something privately in between times, for my own peace of mind. As I have private blood tests for another condition, it's "just one more" on the order.
Thanks for that I’ll consider it
If you don't get anywhere, there are a number of private outfits doing HbA1c tests, at reasonable costs - from around £29, unless you start doing multiple tests. Some providers do seem to discount additional tests, once you are already spending money with them.
My other tests usually relate to my wonky thyroid gland, and personally, I use either Medichecks or MonitorMyhealth. Medeichecks if I want to test vitamins and minerals, and MonitorMyHealth if I just want a look at my thyroid function.
Both outfits use a finger prick test (or you can choose to have a venous test, if you can get to a testing centre easily enough), so it's really easy to do, first thing in the morning, then post the package (they send everything you could need, including little plasters) on the way to work.
Recently, I did a thyroid check with MonitorMyHealth on a Monday morning, and had the results by email, by lunchtime on the Tuesday. MonitorMyHealth, although a private, paid for test, is done at the Exeter Hospital NHS lab, in their "quiet" hours. I have found them very friendly and efficient.
MonitorMyHealth -
https://monitormyhealth.org.uk/
Medichecks -
https://medichecks.com/products/diabetes-hba1c-blood-test
Bluehorizon -
https://bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk/products/hba1c
As you can tell, I am a happy MMH customer. That's all I am. I have no commercial interest in any of the above organisations.