What can the Pre-diabetes and Sugar Handling HbA1c Test tell me?

This test panel measures the levels of the biomarker HbA1c. HbA1c is a normal type of haemoglobin (the molecule that carries oxygen around the body) that we all have. Levels of HbA1c are directly related to how our body has been handling sugar over the last few months. Levels of HbA1c can indicate pre- / early diabetes or diabetes but you can also track HbA1c levels over to get an understanding of your metabolic health.

Who should not use the Pre-diabetes and Sugar Handling HbA1c Test?

We do not recommend using this test panel if you: are a child (17 years or under) are pregnant or breastfeeding know that you have an abnormality with your haemoglobin like sickle cell disease or trait or thalassaemia. If you're unsure if you should use this test panel, please contact us for advice.

Give the gift of health with a Selph Gift Card

Christmas service details

Cholesterol & HbA1c Sugar Handling Test

Tracking your sugar handling and cholesterol levels tells you how healthy your metabolism is and allows you to make changes before health problems happen.

Comes with our

Results and doctor's report in 2 days or less
Free, next-working day delivery

£67.00

Cholesterol & HbA1c Sugar Handling Test Box

Personalise your Cholesterol & HbA1c Sugar Handling Test

You can choose how you'd like to collect your blood sample.

Choose how to collect your blood sample

Finger-prick blood collection

Free

Use our simple kit to collect a blood sample from your finger at home.

Visit a clinic to have your blood taken

£35.00

Book a venous draw at home or work with a nurse. You'll receive an email to book your appointment after you've placed your order. Over 18s only.

£70.00

Arrange your own venous blood draw

Free

Dr Claire Merrifield

GP, PhD and our Medical Director

What you need to know about our Cholesterol & HbA1c Sugar Handling Test

Dr Claire Merrifield

GP, PhD and our Medical Director

Your cholesterol levels and how your body handles blood sugar are the two most important tests of your metabolism. Cholesterol and sugar handling are influenced by your diet, weight, exercise, sleep, stress, your genes and more. They give you a great "holistic" window into how your body is doing.

High cholesterol and poor sugar handling are major risk factors for heart disease, stroke and dementia.

A one-off test will tell you if you have high cholesterol levels and how well your body has been handling sugar over the last few months which can indicate if you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. The real benefit of testing your cholesterol and sugar handling comes when you test every year or so. Then you can track your levels over time. Even if your levels are normal today, if they're creeping up little-by-little over time it's a sign that your body is struggling. You'll know that you need to take action before your health is affected.

Guidelines recommend checking your cholesterol and sugar handling regularly, particularly if you're over 45 or are at risk of heart disease because you're overweight, not physically active or have close family with type 2 diabetes.

What's tested in your Cholesterol & HbA1c Sugar Handling Test?

Diabetes & Sugar Handling
Tracking your sugar handling over time gives you a window into your metabolic health. If it's on the wrong path, you can make changes before you get to pre-diabetes and diabetes.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- HbA1c measures the amount of sugar stuck to your red blood cells. It's a marker of your sugar handling over the last 3 months. Lower levels are generally associated with better health while high levels indicate pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Cholesterol Status
Your lipid profile - the levels of triglycerides and cholesterols in your blood - is an important risk factor for developing heart disease, stroke and dementia.
WHAT'S MEASURED?
- Triglycerides are a type of fat that your body uses for energy.
- Cholesterol is a type of fat that is present in the blood. Total cholesterol is the sum of all the different types of cholesterol in the body - some good and some bad.
- HDL cholesterol is the amount of cholesterol carried on High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) particles. The latest evidence suggests that the HDL cholesterol level is not directly related to the risk of heart disease. However, it's still a useful marker of metabolic health as low levels can indicate insulin resistance.
- LDL cholesterol is the cholesterol carried on Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) particles particles. It's the major type of 'non-HDL' cholesterol. Higher LDL cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
- Your non-HDL cholesterol is your total cholesterol minus your HDL cholesterol. Most non-HDL cholesterol is LDL-cholesterol. Higher non-HDL cholesterol levels are strongly associated with increased risk of heart disease. The lower we can get your non-HDL cholesterol level the better.
- This is the amount of total cholesterol compared to HDL cholesterol. Studies have shown that a lower ratio is associated with better health and reduced risk of heart disease. It is used by some guidelines to determine if someone could benefit from taking lipid-lowering medication.

Find out more

: This test panel measures the levels of the biomarker HbA1c. HbA1c is a normal type of haemoglobin (the molecule that carries oxygen around the body) that we all have. Levels of HbA1c are directly related to how our body has been handling sugar over the last few months. Levels of HbA1c can indicate pre- / early diabetes or diabetes but you can also track HbA1c levels over to get an understanding of your metabolic health.
: We do not recommend using this test panel if you:

are a child (17 years or under)

are pregnant or breastfeeding

know that you have an abnormality with your haemoglobin like sickle cell disease or trait or thalassaemia.

If you're unsure if you should use this test panel, please contact us for advice.