Diabetes blood test: check your blood sugar and HbA1c

Blood sugar regulation often changes gradually, sometimes over months or years, without obvious symptoms. A diabetes blood test can help you get an early view of this. A glucose test shows your blood sugar at a single moment, while an HbA1c test reflects an average over the past two to three months.

By combining both, you get a broader view than one value alone provides. Many people want to test their blood sugar to know early where they stand. For busy professionals, that is an efficient way to gain preventive insight without first seeing a GP.

This test may suit people who:

• want to check their blood sugar as part of a health overview
• have type 2 diabetes in the family and want to know their own values
• were previously told their glucose or HbA1c was borderline
• want to see how dietary or lifestyle changes may have affected their values
• experience symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination or unexplained fatigue

A blood sugar test like this is not a diagnosis, but a data point you can discuss with a doctor.

This panel measures two biomarkers in your blood:

• Glucose (fasting): the level of sugar in your blood after an overnight fast. It reflects your blood sugar at the time of the draw.
• HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin): the percentage of haemoglobin that has glucose attached to it. Because red blood cells live for about two to three months, this value reflects your average blood sugar over that period.

You can read more on the pages about fasting glucose and HbA1c.

A fasting glucose level within the reference range usually suggests normal blood sugar at the time of the test. An elevated fasting glucose level can be an early sign of changes in your blood sugar regulation.

Your HbA1c gives a broader view: values in the prediabetic range may suggest your blood sugar has been running higher than usual over recent months. It is possible for your glucose to look normal while your HbA1c is slightly elevated, or vice versa. A doctor can help interpret both values together.

For this test, blood is drawn at a certified sample point (afnamepunt). There are 650+ locations across the Netherlands, which you choose yourself after ordering.

You do not need to see your GP first: this blood test without a referral is scheduled at a time and place that suit you. The draw is done by trained staff and usually takes only a few minutes.

A diabetes blood test can be useful when:

• you want to check your blood sugar as part of a broader health picture
• there is diabetes in your family and you want to be aware of your values
• you previously had a borderline glucose or HbA1c result
• you want to see how changes in diet or exercise may have affected your blood sugar

Each marker is shown with your value and its reference range. For fasting glucose, values within the normal range suggest your blood sugar was well regulated at that moment.

For HbA1c, a value below 42 mmol/mol is usually considered normal, while values between 42 and 47 mmol/mol may suggest a prediabetic range. These thresholds are general guidelines; your report includes explanations, and we recommend discussing your result with a doctor for a personalised interpretation.

Your results are usually available online within a few working days, with your values alongside the reference ranges and a clear explanation. If either marker falls outside the expected range, you will see that clearly.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.