Hba1c

spocky1 said:

Is there any way of finding out what your hba1c reading is without seeing a medical professional as nowadays I get little response from my gp

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Google a1cNow. Read up on it. It is expensive and I think you can only use it twice.

Have you been diagnosed with Diabetes?

Welcome to the forum.

It comes with a meter and 2 / 10 / 20 test sets ( complex versions of strips )
The test sets have a limited shelf life and must be kept in a fridge,

When I googled it yesterday there were 2 packs at £40 and £70
there were ten packs at £99 + VAT and £115 + VAT from UK sources ( Medisave UK and Miller Health respectively )

One option is free mysugr app if you download it and test your blood regularly and add your numbers after a few weeks of readings - you can back enter earlier no’s if you have them - it will give you an estimate my predictions are very close to the real thing.
Another option is a company like Thriva new customers get 50 percent off I do private cholesterol tests with them they send out a kit, you collect blood ( found it easy) and they reported mine online with drs comments following day. You need to subscribe but can cancel your subs when you’ve had first test done cod e BETTERTODAY give 50 percent off see:

https://thriva.co/sample-collection

bamba said:

It comes with a meter and 2 / 10 / 20 test sets ( complex versions of strips )
The test sets have a limited shelf life and must be kept in a fridge,

When I googled it yesterday there were 2 packs at £40 and £70
there were ten packs at £99 + VAT and £115 + VAT from UK sources ( Medisave UK and Miller Health respectively )

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In the 10 and 20 pack kits you need your own finger pricker (sneaky), the 2 pack includes.

Hi @spocky1 and welcome to the forum.

I'm a little worried that you're thinking of taking such a big test without medical support. GPs don't provide a proactive service, by and large: if they don't hear from you, they'll assume you're fine. So apart from routine screening tests and flu jabs, you'll not hear from them at all.

While many of us have somewhat tricky relationships with our GPs / DNs, the fact remains that you need to form some kind of working partnership with your healthcare team to keep yourself safe. I'm sorry, but I don't think self-diagnosis (the only reason you'd want a home Hba1c kit, for either yourself or for using on someone else) is wise at all.

Call your surgery. You can book an appointment to talk about diabetes: you don't need a "response" - they'll give you an appointment there and then. If you find you have a particularly rocky relationship with one GP, ask to see another when you book.

I'm sorry. I know each to their own, but if you think that you or someone else in your family has diabetes, you need to see a GP and get that tested, diagnosed and entered onto your health records. You need regular screening and health check ups and, potentially, medication.

Sorry I can't be more supportive.

Mbaker said:

In the 10 and 20 pack kits you need your own finger pricker (sneaky), the 2 pack includes.

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Hadn't actually noticed that - was not exactly short of lancing devices .

What I did notice was the little vampire needed a bigger slurp than my usual tests.

( also screwed up first test by not pushing the two bits fully together )

bamba said:

Hadn't actually noticed that - was not exactly short of lancing devices .

What I did notice was the little vampire needed a bigger slurp than my usual tests.

( also screwed up first test by not pushing the two bits fully together )

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Good you mentioned about the pushing together of the unit with the blood sample and the reader when "SIMPL" is displayed, this should only be until "RUN" is displayed which is around a second or so - useful info for those doing this the first time.