Description
HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar over roughly the previous three months. It is the standard test for diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes.
What this test measures
Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), reported in mmol/mol.
Who it is for
- Excess thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained weight loss
- A family history of type 2 diabetes
- Raised BMI, or a previously borderline result
- A history of gestational diabetes
- Anyone over 40 wanting a baseline
Preparing for your test
No fasting needed and no dietary preparation — that is the advantage of HbA1c over a fasting glucose. Take your sample whenever suits.
Worth knowing
HbA1c is unreliable in some circumstances: recent significant blood loss or transfusion, iron deficiency anaemia, pregnancy, and some haemoglobin variants can all skew it in either direction. Tell us if any apply.
If you have symptoms of very high blood sugar — heavy thirst, drowsiness, vomiting, rapid breathing — seek in-person medical care now rather than waiting on a postal test.
What happens next
Once the laboratory reports, a GP registered with the Irish Medical Council reviews your result alongside the information you gave us and explains what it means in plain English. GP review is included in the price — we do not release raw numbers without interpretation.
Important limitations
This is a screening test, not a diagnosis. A result in range does not rule out every cause of a symptom, and a result out of range does not by itself confirm a condition. If you feel unwell, see a doctor in person regardless of what this test shows. This service is not for emergencies — call 112 or 999 if you are seriously unwell.
