At home HBA1C tests

[wannabemammy]

Hi everyone!
I am just back from America today and I couldn't get over the size of the diabetes care sections in the chemists! I ended up buying loads of supplies! Anyway one thing that I picked up at a CVS pharmacy was an at home hba1c test. I had this done 2 weeks before my holiday and it was 7.8. I improved some what coming up to my holiday and when I did the at home test it was 7.5 so I would say it is pretty accurate! Does anybody know if these are available to buy in the UK or Ireland? I'm from Ireland but have relations in the U.K. that could send it o

nto me! I really do think that being able to monitor this myself will keep me motivated and help me get my A1C down to my target of 7%

 

[urbanracer]

Interesting, I see the same device comes up on the internet branded as a Bayer product with very positive user reviews. Found one person who claimed that the device returned the same number as the lab with tests done on the same day!


There is another (non Bayer) version of it available on ebay..............

 

[AndBreathe]

Hi everyone!
I am just back from America today and I couldn't get over the size of the diabetes care sections in the chemists! I ended up buying loads of supplies! Anyway one thing that I picked up at a CVS pharmacy was an at home hba1c test. I had this done 2 weeks before my holiday and it was 7.8. I improved some what coming up to my holiday and when I did the at home test it was 7.5 so I would say it is pretty accurate! Does anybody know if these are available to buy in the UK or Ireland? I'm from Ireland but have relations in the U.K. that could send it o

nto me! I really do think that being able to monitor this myself will keep me motivated and help me get my A1C down to my target of 7%

I have used these kits, although branded Bayer, as highlighted by urbanracer. Like you, I found them to be very close to my lab results, when I did a very small calibration trial.

They are available in the UK from a couple of places. BHR Pharmaceuticals: http://www.bhr.co.uk/home-user-products/a1cnow-2-test-pack-home-user-test?___SID=U . BHR also used to do a 10 test kit which was very much cheaper per test, but no longer sell that to Home Users, only Professionals.

Miller Medical Supplies does the 10 test kit and a 20 test option, and you can see how much cheaper per test they are: http://www.millermedicalsupplies.com/diagnostics/blood-testing/a1cnow

If you are considering buying a larger box, then I would suggest you call and ask about the current expiry dates on the kits. The ones I have had have had decent expiry dates, but bearing in mind how often there is likely to be any meaningful difference in the test result, you need to consider if you could get through the tests.

Last time I had a 10 kit, I ended up giving the last couple away as I was about to go overseas for 3 months and the fridges at home would be going off (Yes, then need to be kept cool). As you already know (but just writing this for anyone thinking giving the tests and reader away would be unhygienic in any way), the tests themselves are in sealed units, with all "live" elements disposable. The reader does not store historic results and once the test cassette is removed after reading, it can be wiped down simply with an alcohol wipe.

I have used both suppliers and found them absolutely fine. As the package is delivered with a cool pack inside the parcel, it's useful to consider where it is delivered to, if you're not going to be around. Of course the weather is cooler now, but I wouldn't really want them going back to a sorting office to wait for me to collect.

I hope that helps.