• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Best place to get a HBA1c Reading (apart from your doctor)

LittleGreyCat said:
Given that I flinch at even the smallest finger prick, is it the same amount of blood as for a standard BG meter?

Just looked at the web site and it seems you get a kit which is good for two tests, then you throw the lot away including the meter.

If so, that makes it around £22 per test.
Click to expand...

The more tests you buy, the "cheaper" they become, as you might expect - especially as the "meter" is only useful for the tests you have.

I tend to use Miller Medical Supplies for mine: http://www.millermedicalsupplies.com/diagnostics/blood-testing/a1cnow

As each test is carried out via disposable cassette, it would be safe to share a meter. The meter doesn't save test results.
 
Interesting problem - sorry - not a helpful statement.
As above, an adequate blood glucose proflie from fingerprick testing gives a lot of information. The HbA1c is an average and affected by things such as anaemia, or ethnicity or marked renal impairment. So your fingerprick measurements are really valuable.
If your glucose values are OK, then an HbA1c is a good way to check the veracity of this.
Although I believe that folk place a lot of faith in the HbA1c without fully understanding the pros and cons, it is a valuable test; I believe that NICE has guidance on regular HbA1c testing by the GP or whoever, so I am disappointed that your GP does not seem to be adhering to this. I may be a it hazy on this.
I would worry about the quality control of HbA1c tests - a friend sent several people's test to the different labs in Bristol in the 1990s'; not only were the numbers back different, the different labs gave different opinions regarding degree of control; nowadays NHS labs participate in a quality control scheme to ensure reliability. So if going for private tests, I would want to know if in a QC scheme, and why GP is not doing it on NHS.
best wishes
 
Last edited:
DCUKMod said:
It varies, but probably every couple of months.
Click to expand...

Sounds reasonable as HbA1c is weighted towards the last six weeks.
Seriously considering trying this out.
 
tubamanandy said:
Thanks everyone - a couple of interesting ideas there - I'm particularly interested in that A1cNow but only real concern is how accurate is it likely to be compared with a normal blood test ?
Click to expand...

I use a1cnow tests. I bought my latest box of 10 for £120 delivered from Amazon. Miller medical supplies. Previous to this it was from Medicare uk £117 delivered.

Re results, here goes:

33 on 26th Oct to get an idea of where I was on the scale. I knew in 6 monthly blood check was due. It tallied more or less with Mysugr prediction of 34.0. So i was happy. But I have had lots of peanuts since, trying to keep my weight up and actually gain a couple of lbs. With cheese and olives etc. Usually during the evening when I realised I hadn't eaten enough during the day. But @shelley262 quite rightly pointed out they aren't nuts but pulses! I was reading carb content. Anyway you live and learn. Thank goodness for this forum and all the very helpful members.

I did another test last Friday before I went for my DN appointment, it was 39! I was shocked so did another straight away, 41!!! As it happens my appointment was cancelled. DN had broken her wrist so i had to go to the walk in centre Saturday. So i used another home test. Just one day later and it was 35!!! I phoned surgery for my results today. 39! So in my opinion the a1c now gives you a rough idea of where you are. I'm going to continue using it once a month for just that reason. Hope this is useful. Ps mysugr current prediction = 34.1 but I haven't been putting as many readings in lately
 
Last edited:
Debandez said:
I use a1cnow tests. I bought my latest box of 10 for £120 delivered from Amazon. Miller medical supplies. Previous to this it was from Medicare uk £117 delivered.
Click to expand...
Many thanks for that steer ... the price of these test kits anywhere on the internet is mind boggling, super to find somewhere cheaper and reliable :)
 
Back
Top