Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Private Clinic Recommendations?

[Eadenhall]

I am potentially prediabetic (42 - HbA1C) and am looking for some advice on finding a place to have an Oral Glucose Tolerance test done privately.

I was recommended a place that was going to charge about £850 for this test, then a further £200 to see a specialist to go through the results with me. This seems outrageous, but I have nothing to compare this too.

I am based in London and wanted to know if anyone can recommend a private clinic or hospital that can do this specific test. I am happy to travel outside of London, but not so far away.

When doing this test, do I only need blood tests done or should I also require urine tests?

Any help would be warmly appreciated.

David

 

[Deleted member 308541]

When doing this test, do I only need blood tests done or should I also require urine tests?

When I had the test done I did not have to give a urine sample, this was at a private pathology lab here in Bundaberg.

It may be different in the UK though.

 

[DCUKMod]

I am potentially prediabetic (42 - HbA1C) and am looking for some advice on finding a place to have an Oral Glucose Tolerance test done privately.

I was recommended a place that was going to charge about £850 for this test, then a further £200 to see a specialist to go through the results with me. This seems outrageous, but I have nothing to compare this too.

I am based in London and wanted to know if anyone can recommend a private clinic or hospital that can do this specific test. I am happy to travel outside of London, but not so far away.

When doing this test, do I only need blood tests done or should I also require urine tests?

Any help would be warmly appreciated.

David

Eadenhall, have you had an HbA1c test done? This is the current gold standard for diabetes diagnosis. The OGTT is generally only used for gestational diabetes these days.

Why do you feel you need to have this test done privately?

Please don't think I am being critical of anyone keen to look after their health. I am just trying to understand what drives this need.

 

[resander]

£850 for one test!

You can DIY. Buy Rapilose Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Solution 300ml approximately £10; Drink and measure blood sugar with normal finger-prick glucose meter.

- start in the morning after a 10 hour fast
- measure start (fasting) blood sugar with finger-prick glucose meter
- drink the OGTT solution
- measure blood sugar every 15-20 minutes and
stop after 3 hours
Do not move or eat during test period


You can buy it online. There are several sources. For example from:
https://www.easymedshealth.com/products/rapilose-oral-glucose-tolerance-test-ogtt-solution-300ml
http://penlanhealthcare.com/products-rapilose-ogtt-solution

 

[DCUKMod]

£850 for one test!

You can DIY. Buy Rapilose Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Solution 300ml approximately £10; Drink and measure blood sugar with normal finger-prick glucose meter.

- start in the morning after a 10 hour fast
- measure start (fasting) blood sugar with finger-prick glucose meter
- drink the OGTT solution
- measure blood sugar every 15-20 minutes and
stop after 3 hours
Do not move or eat during test period


You can buy it online. There are several sources. For example from:
https://www.easymedshealth.com/products/rapilose-oral-glucose-tolerance-test-ogtt-solution-300ml
http://penlanhealthcare.com/products-rapilose-ogtt-solution

Whilst I understand and have done a home OGTT myself, we need to really understand why @Eadenhall wants to have this test done, as for some conditions there are risks that might make an individual feel they would prefer, or require medical supervision.

 

[Eadenhall]

Firstly, may I thank you all for taking the time to help me with this issue. you have been really kind to respond.

I hope I'm not boring you with too many details, but I had a rather poor diet and during routine blood tests was told my HbA1c was 43. From that day, I completely changed my diet cutting out all sugar and monitoring all carbs (losing 9kg to get to a stable weight of 68kg). After 6 months I had another HbA1c and I had only dropped to 42. Confused, I saw a private specialist who noticed that I had Beta Thallasaemia blood trait that is known to sometimes give false/ inaccurate HbA1c readings. So instead I did a Fasting Plasma Glucose blood test that came back at 4.4 mmol/L. As I am not diabetic, my doctor said that any treatment I want to do cannot be covered by NHS. so private was my only option. He recommended to have the OGTT done to in addition to the FPG test to kind of confirm these new results.

The specialist I was seeing was going to charge me as follows...

OGTT test - £312 (this apparently only includes nursing and pathology)
Insulin levels checked 5 times during the 2 hour period (£70 x 5) - £350.00
Glucose levels checked 5 times during the 2 hour period (£42.50 x 5) - £212.50
Total - £874.50

Additionally, I would need to see the consultant to get the results - £200.

@resander - are you saying that that DIY OGTT would be the same thing that this consultant would do for me?

My sincerest thanks to everyone who has taken time to help me - I felt so lost before.

David

 

[DCUKMod]

To be honest, @Eadenhall , in your shoes, I would go back to your GP and ask him if the surgery would provide the testing your private Endo has requested. I see an Endo for my thyroid, and have seen him privately, as well as more recently on the NHS.

The first time I say him he requested a massive list of tests. My jaw dropped when he reeled them off, but he wrote to my GP and asked her to have the tests done before I saw him again, which she was happy enough to do. From that great list of tests, I know there are a lot of things, mainly auto-immune, I didn't have on that date!

A DIY OGTT will test capillary blood, on a blood glucose monitor, as opposed to venous blood in a lab. I don't know if your pre-existing condition impacts finger prick tests too. You would also not be able to self-test your glucose five times either.

There used to be a firm doing tests by post, including insulin, but they halted their insulin testing in the hot weather last year (Do you remember heat?!!), and now only do venous draws

Where are you based? If you are in London, or very nearby, Medichecks may be able to put something together for you at their London walk-in clinic. I'm not in that locale, so wouldn't like to guess, but I'm sure you could find a contact number on their site. https://medichecks.com/collections/all

I have used Medichecks postal services, both utilising the finger prick testing and using a local phlebotomist who came to my house. In your shoes, I could probably do a deal with her, if the total for the tests, plus her time came in cheaper than that the full clinic costs.

 

[Eadenhall]

Dear DCUKMod

I really, really appreciate this response.

I am based in London, and I have looked on the Medichecks website. I had never heard of this place before, but it looks very interesting indeed. Sorry to ask, but is it as professional as any other private clinic? I have no experience in this field so please do excuse my ignorance.

I have been on their live chat and their OGTT says it apparently includes 5 blood tests and doctor's advice all coming to £124!! Amazing in comparison. Is there anything else I should ask for?

If you have used them before, and you seem to be extremely knowledgeable, then this gives me confidence.

David

 

[resander]

The DIY OGTT test is for blood glucose only. You decide how many times you measure. Bare minimum 2, before and just after. More measurements and you can see how the blood glucose levels change during the 2 hours.

If a private clinic uses Rapilose OGTT solution and finger prick then I think their result would be close to a DIY OGTT. If not, and they draw blood from your arm, then I would not know.

Also, I do not know if it is possible to DIY insulin level tests at home.

I would just do the DIY OGTT and armed with that go back to your GP and take it from there.

 

[Goonergal]

Dear DCUKMod

I really, really appreciate this response.

I am based in London, and I have looked on the Medichecks website. I had never heard of this place before, but it looks very interesting indeed. Sorry to ask, but is it as professional as any other private clinic? I have no experience in this field so please do excuse my ignorance.

I have been on their live chat and their OGTT says it apparently includes 5 blood tests and doctor's advice all coming to £124!! Amazing in comparison. Is there anything else I should ask for?

If you have used them before, and you seem to be extremely knowledgeable, then this gives me confidence.

David

Hi there. I have used Medichecks a few times and found them to be very professional. The Doctor’s Laboratory lab on Wimpole Street where there is a drop in service (although I guess you may need an appointment for OGTT) is excellent.

 

[DCUKMod]

Dear DCUKMod

I really, really appreciate this response.

I am based in London, and I have looked on the Medichecks website. I had never heard of this place before, but it looks very interesting indeed. Sorry to ask, but is it as professional as any other private clinic? I have no experience in this field so please do excuse my ignorance.

I have been on their live chat and their OGTT says it apparently includes 5 blood tests and doctor's advice all coming to £124!! Amazing in comparison. Is there anything else I should ask for?

If you have used them before, and you seem to be extremely knowledgeable, then this gives me confidence.

David

I have used Medichecks, but only by post. I have never attended one of their labs or clinics, but I think my colleague @Goonergal might have been to one of their clinics to have blood drawn.

I found their service to be excellent, and quick, with the results coming directly to you, by email. There is a certain amount of dialogue/report that comes with it, but I am also able to interpret my own results.

It is worthwhile checking exactly which 5 tests they do, as part of that price, as I doubt that covers all that you listed earlier in the thread.

 

[Goonergal]

I have used Medichecks, but only by post. I have never attended one of their labs or clinics, but I think my colleague @Goonergal might have been to one of their clinics to have blood drawn.

Indeed I have. If you get a choice (some tests must be done at certain labs) the Doctor’s Laboratory referenced above is the better of the 2 I’ve used.

 

[DCUKMod]

Indeed I have. If you get a choice (some tests must be done at certain labs) the Doctor’s Laboratory referenced above is the better of the 2 I’ve used.

Thanks, Goonergal. Hopefully, that'll be useful for @Eadenhall

 

[Eadenhall]

Thank you so much to both of you again.

Yes, the tests would be done as a walk in service at the Doctor's Laboratory on Wimpole Street.

Medichecks have just replied to me with the following OGTT blood test description:

Fasting Glucose
Blood Glucose (0.5 Hrs)
Blood Glucose (1.0 Hrs)
Blood Glucose (1.5 Hrs)
Blood Glucose (2.0 Hrs)

There would then be one urine sample taken following this.

Does this sound suitable?

David

 

[DCUKMod]

Thank you so much to both of you again.

Yes, the tests would be done as a walk in service at the Doctor's Laboratory on Wimpole Street.

Medichecks have just replied to me with the following OGTT blood test description:

Fasting Glucose
Blood Glucose (0.5 Hrs)
Blood Glucose (1.0 Hrs)
Blood Glucose (1.5 Hrs)
Blood Glucose (2.0 Hrs)

There would then be one urine sample taken following this.

Does this sound suitable?

David

Your post above suggests you also require 5 insulin tests. Are these your choice, or a requirement of your consultant? Glucose and insulin are different tests. Medichecks insulin test is £49, and you want/need 5 of those?

At the moment, Medichecks have a 22% discount code if you order your tests online. I don't know when it ends, but have a feeling it would be tomorrow.

 

[Eadenhall]

Dear DCUKMod

My GP just recommended a OGTT (didn't specify more than this). It is my consultant that wants to add these other more thorough tests into it. He also wants to add c-Peptides. This is why I am dubious. Am I being hustled for non-essential extras?

The reason for my testing is that the HbA1c says im prediabetic, yet my FPG test says im normal. My question is that I want to confirm which reading (HbA1c or FPG) was most accurate for me. Hence, do I need all these other specifics if I may not even be prediabetic - shouldn't they be establishing this first?

However, do you think I should get one insulin level done as well (at the same time) with Medichecks?

Do you know where I can find this 22% discount code?

My sincerest thanks

David

 

[Goonergal]

Do you know where I can find this 22% discount code?

The code is LEAPYEAR22

Expires at midnight tonight

 

[HSSS]

Do you have a meter? Some diligent testing over a space of time might give you a much cheaper clue which is mor Eli Kelly to be accurate and inform your decision about more lab testing?

see what typical fasting levels are and what responses are to typical meals? After a few days of regular readings they estimate averages too and apps like mySugr will estimate hb1ac

 

[DCUKMod]

To be candid, @Eadenhall , I don't know anything about Beta Thallasaemia, and therefore how it would or could impact on testing regimes and/or presentations of any particular condition. You appear to be seeing an expert, but don't seem totally sold on what he/she is saying to you. Apologies if I got that bit wrong. At this stage, only you can decide how much of what he suggests you will follow through.

Alternatively, you could talk to him/her again to satisfy yourself of this, or speak with your GP for reassurance or clarification.

In terms of the C-Peptide Test, Medichecks do that to, at £99.

The discount code is at the top left of almost every one of their web pages, at present; see the image attached.

One thing I will say is that when I have used Medichecks in the past, any test I bought has been valid for a period of 6 months from the point of purchase. That has allowed me to purchase tests and choose my optimal time to have them done. I have applied discount codes for those too. their website has quite fullsome information on the Ts and Cs, and also cancellation policies.

 

[resander]

I agree with @HSSS.

A low Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) value does not imply absence of diabetes. My FBGs 5.2-5.5mmol/L are in the low range and yet I have diabetes.

White rice, potatoes, (white)bread, pasta, porridge and products containing white flour (e.g. pizza) are troublesome foods that push up blood glucose levels for diabetics.

As @HSSS says, have some typical meals and measure blood glucose levels 2 hours after. Then carefully and gradually move onto the troublesome foods and measure. My values for these are:

200g white rice: 11-14mmol/L
200g potatoes: 10-12mmol/L
2 slices white bread: 9-11mmol/L
100g pasta: 8.5-10.5mmol/L

A non-diabetic person would not have high values like these 2 hours after eating.