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HbA1c test validity

D

Dan3

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Type of diabetes
Carer
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I do not have diabetes
Hello.
Surprising as it may seem, diabetes.co.uk directed me here to this forum to broadcast my question about one of its products. The query regards their HbA1c test.

Is it acceptable for the test to be carried out late at night and posted early the next morning? Thanks in advance.

Regards
Dan
 
Yes

The hba1c can be taken any time of day as it’s an measure of your levels over the last 3 months
 
Ah - I see what you mean - the sample needs to be stored correctly but I would expect that there are guidelines available on temperature etc. within every place that samples are taken, and those working there should know about it.

I did have the situation where my results were all over the place - so much so that I installed temperature sensor/recorders and put an alarm on the plug, but it wasn't for some time that I found the 'fault' - someone bringing in a radio to keep them entertained on the night shift and using the same plug point to save their batteries. They 'outed' themselves with a complaint about the noise of the alarm.
 
Dan3 said:
Hello.
Surprising as it may seem, diabetes.co.uk directed me here to this forum to broadcast my question about one of its products. The query regards their HbA1c test.

Is it acceptable for the test to be carried out late at night and posted early the next morning? Thanks in advance.

Regards
Dan
Click to expand...

When I have done home tests, I have always done them first thing, just to get it out of the way.

If you were set on doing the test at night, then when you post it, please ensure you post it next day delivery to minimise any delays. (I always do that anyway, and would 100% do it in hot weather.)

As I understand it, blood tests vary in sensitivity of the quality of the sample, but the samples for postal tests will have preservatives in the collection vial.

Is there a reason you wouldn't do the test in the morning? It only takes a couple of minutes.
 
In many areas even if you have the blood taken in hospital or a local clinic nothing may happen with the sample for many hours

Locally everything is handled by the lab at Southampton general hospital

So if you get the test done elsewhere the sample sits until the daily collection is done then transported to the lab this is why you can see stuff already in the vial when they start which is the preservative

And this is why certain blood test have to be done at the main hospital…. The tests which need doing within 4 hour of blood draw
 
Thank you all for your quick and useful replies.
 
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