Where else can you get Hba1c Tests?

[trueblue]

I just got a new job going back into the forces this time with the Army in January. About this time last year I had a high BS reading on bloods test and was told I was just into the pre D range at 43mmol.
Since then I have upped the exercise, changed diets, ran the Great North run, and altogether lost about 2 stone.
I never got the follow up from the Diabetic clinic last year as by the time the letter arrived the appointment had passed. When I went to the GP he said he would contact them on my behalf but as my result was only just in the zone etc they may not get back in touch until your next test due in 12 months. I haven't heard anything since.

As I am about to go into the forces (have already passed their medical) I dont want to go and get re-tested and have something on recent notes to be handed over. When I am in I dont think I want to go into the med centre asking for a HBA1C either, as they will no doubt ask why? Is there any other reason you could be asking for one perhaps?

My dad also has type2 ,, developed in his 50's (I'm 40) so I may be doing all the right things and develop it any way. Although my dad was always way overweight, drank and smoked every day, did no exercise and ate whatever. So I do want to keep an eye on things but dont want to obsess either.

So to get back to my question. If over the coming years I want to keep an eye on things without giving the army cause to worry about my health standards is there anywhere say on the high street you can get these tests done? I am sure I heard of some of the chemist's doing all sort of Health checks a wee while ago. Failing that I guess I could get it checked privately.

Its either that or just try and keep it to the back of my mind and dont worry about it. I am already doing as much as I can anyway and I suppose if I still get it later on then there may be nothing I could have done different anyway. As part of the Army medical I had to give a urine sample and was advised to stay off sugar/energy drinks and sugar foods for 24hrs,,,so I'm assuming they have maybe checked me for diabetes as well as their standard drugs screen there. The whole time I was in previously with the RAF I had regular checks for cholesterol and was on statins ,, all they did for that was a fasting blood test tho,, if I asked for those checks again, would they tell me much about my BS or glucose levels other than a morning spike?

Sorry for going on a bit,,cheers

 

[AndBreathe]

I just got a new job going back into the forces this time with the Army in January. About this time last year I had a high BS reading on bloods test and was told I was just into the pre D range at 43mmol.
Since then I have upped the exercise, changed diets, ran the Great North run, and altogether lost about 2 stone.
I never got the follow up from the Diabetic clinic last year as by the time the letter arrived the appointment had passed. When I went to the GP he said he would contact them on my behalf but as my result was only just in the zone etc they may not get back in touch until your next test due in 12 months. I haven't heard anything since.

As I am about to go into the forces (have already passed their medical) I dont want to go and get re-tested and have something on recent notes to be handed over. When I am in I dont think I want to go into the med centre asking for a HBA1C either, as they will no doubt ask why? Is there any other reason you could be asking for one perhaps?

My dad also has type2 ,, developed in his 50's (I'm 40) so I may be doing all the right things and develop it any way. Although my dad was always way overweight, drank and smoked every day, did no exercise and ate whatever. So I do want to keep an eye on things but dont want to obsess either.

So to get back to my question. If over the coming years I want to keep an eye on things without giving the army cause to worry about my health standards is there anywhere say on the high street you can get these tests done? I am sure I heard of some of the chemist's doing all sort of Health checks a wee while ago. Failing that I guess I could get it checked privately.

Its either that or just try and keep it to the back of my mind and dont worry about it. I am already doing as much as I can anyway and I suppose if I still get it later on then there may be nothing I could have done different anyway. As part of the Army medical I had to give a urine sample and was advised to stay off sugar/energy drinks and sugar foods for 24hrs,,,so I'm assuming they have maybe checked me for diabetes as well as their standard drugs screen there. The whole time I was in previously with the RAF I had regular checks for cholesterol and was on statins ,, all they did for that was a fasting blood test tho,, if I asked for those checks again, would they tell me much about my BS or glucose levels other than a morning spike?

Sorry for going on a bit,,cheers

Firstly, glucose will only show up in urine at around 10, so that's hardly the most sensitive test.

Vis-a-vis private blood tests, you have LOADS of options. Companies like the nattily named Private Blood Tests do these, in conjunction with Spire Hospitals. You order your tests via the website, pay up and they send you the relevant paperwork. http://privatebloodtests.co.uk/

You could see a Private GP, for example: http://www.privategp.com/ , and they can order the test.

If what you need is a good indicator of where your bloods are, you could use a home test. Whilst not the same as a lab test, using venous blood, I have used these and found them to be tracking my lab results:

http://www.millermedicalsupplies.com/a1cnow-hba1c-and-diabetes-monitoring-10-test-kit-4838

You pays your money; you take your chance.

Good luck with the new job.

 

[Silver Hammer]

The A1cNow & Monitor (10 pack) available from Miller Medical Supplies as mentioned by @AndBreathe is also showing as available from www.bhr.co.uk at the much better price of £82.50 plus VAT. I have ordered and used these from Miller Medical Supplies and have been impressed with their ease of use ( once you have studied the instructions carefully) and also quite close correlation with official NHS HbA1C tests. However unlike the NHS tests you get the results in 5 minutes.

Maxwell

 

[trueblue]

Cheers for that guys. I have added those sites to my favourites and will likely look into them once I am in and settled in the job.

Thanks again