Russ - for all the other tests I have blood taken from my arm so I don't really gain anything. These are fasting tests which I have once a year. The HbA1c is a finger prick test as I said which is done in the waiting room before I go in for my 3-monthly appointment and the nurse comes in to the consultation room 10 minutes later with the result.
well i have made my appointment for next friday, checking my blood for my anemia, cholesterol, and Hba1c,
i said i would make a further appointment after the bloods have been taken to discuss the results with the nurse, the receptionist said, "oh you dont need to see the nurse we can give you the results over the phone"
which i already knew, so i said ...i prefer to discuss them with the nurse and get a run down of the results thanks,
When I get my HbA1c tested, they tell me about 10 minutes later. The time it takes depends on whether they have the machine on the spot or have to send the blood away.
Wow! Is that something new? When I have had my HbA1C done (many, many times over the years) they always send the blood off to a lab, so it takes about a week to get the results. If there is now a machine that can do it "while you wait" that is fantastic!
I think it depends where you get it done. I had my first one done at the diabetic clinic at the hospital and it was done while I waited. Ten minutes later I had the results. I now get it done at the doctor's surgery and I go in one week before my appointment to have my blood taken, results at my appointment.