Hba1c Test – Long Term Blood Sugar Test

Why test long-term blood sugar?

Today’s eating and drinking habits and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes contribute to more and more cases of obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes. For people with diabetes, blood sugar is permanently elevated. With an hbA1c value, you can determine your average blood sugar over the last three months.If you are aware of elevated blood sugar levels early on, you can also take countermeasures at an early stage. You can then change your diet and incorporate more exercise into your daily routine.

How does the hba1c test work?

For the hbA1c test kit, you take a small blood sample from your fingertip using a lancet. The sample is sent to a specialised laboratory in a tube via a return envelope. The laboratory analyses the proportion of haemoglobin A1c (hbA1c) in the total haemoglobin and thus the degree of saccharification of your blood.

What will the test results tell me?

The Long Term Blood Sugar Test tells you how much hbA1c is in your blood. From this, you can determine your average blood glucose level over the last three months.Your value falls into one of three result ranges:Less than 5.7 per cent: Your blood glucose is within the normal range.5.7 to 6.5 per cent: You are in the grey range and should discuss your risk of diabetes with a doctor.More than 6.5 per cent: Your blood glucose level is elevated and you should definitely consult a doctor about your risk of developing diabetes.

How long does the analysis take in the laboratory?

Once your sample has arrived at the laboratory, it will be analyzed there by specialists. How long the analysis takes depends on the exact measuring method and the processes in the laboratory.

If the sample is sent on the correct days (Sunday to Tuesday), this makes it easier for the laboratory to adhere to the times.

For the Hba1c Test – Long Term Blood Sugar Test, the laboratory analysis is usually completed within 5 working days after the sample is received in the laboratory.  

What kind of recommendations will I get?

The results report provides you with tips on how to counteract high blood sugar levels and thus the risk of developing diabetes.For example, you should regularly check your hbA1c value, reduce excess weight, avoid sugar in your diet as much as possible and also reduce your stress levels.If you suspect you have diabetes or are at high risk of developing diabetes, you should also consult a doctor.

What is hba1c?

Haemoglobin is the red blood pigment that serves as an oxygen transporter in human blood. Residues of glucose, the sugar in the blood, remain attached to haemoglobin for at least 30 days. Experts call this mixture of blood pigment and glucose haemoglobin A1c or hbA1c.In a blood sample, it is possible to determine how much hbA1c is present in the blood and what proportion of the total haemoglobin is hbA1c. The percentage indicating this proportion is the hbA1c value, also called long-term blood sugar or degree of saccharification of the blood.

What are the symptoms of high blood sugar?

The symptoms of high blood sugar are often relatively vague and difficult to recognise. People often get used to the blood sugar fluctuations until they no longer notice the consequences. This is also often the case if you already have type 2 diabetes.Nevertheless, there are some typical symptoms of hyperglycaemia:Increased urge to urinateA strong feeling of thirstTirednessHeadache

What are the signs of low blood sugar?

Blood sugar levels that are too low can also be problematic – the blood cannot flush enough glucose through the body, resulting in a lack of energy in the brain, among other things. This can occur due to stress, extreme physical strain and alcohol consumption. Strict fasting can also lower blood sugar too much, especially in type 1 diabetics.Possible symptoms of hypoglycaemia:Weak kneesRacing heart, heavy sweating, chillsRavenous appetiteTiredness and difficulty concentratingConfusion and anxiety attacks

Why is blood sugar important?

Blood sugar is an important part of our energy metabolism. The sugar glucose provides energy that our body needs to function. Glucose reaches the brain via our blood, for example.The hormone insulin plays an important role in this process. It controls how much sugar from the blood reaches the body’s cells. In this way, it also regulates our blood sugar levels and ensures that the value is always within the normal range in healthy people. If there is too little insulin in the body, the blood sugar rises.

For whom is the hba1c home test kit not suitable?

The cerascreen® Long Term Blood Sugar Test is not suitable for or is only partially suitable for certain groups of people:

• People with infectious diseases, like hepatitis, are not allowed to take the Long Term Blood Sugar Test.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should only carry out the hba1c test under medical supervision. The given reference ranges and recommendations do not apply to people in this group; consult your medical professional for advice concerning your test results
• The Long Term Blood Sugar Test is not intended for thoseunder the age of 18

The test is not designed for diagnosing serious illnesses. For example, if you suffer from severe depression or extreme pain, contact a doctor.

Why are children under 18 not allowed to take the test?

Our tests are not suitable for underage children and adolescents under the age of 18. Under 18s cannot activate the tests online and therefore cannot receive a test result. We ask that you do not administer the tests to your children either.

Children and adolescents need much closer supervision and counselling regarding medical tests and their interpretation. Testing with lancets and chemicals is not without risk and would need to be closely supervised by guardians. In addition, the reference values we give are always based on adult data. In the case of children, the risk of misinterpreting the results would be very high.

We want to fulfil our responsibility as a provider of medical products and ensure that children and adolescents are not unsettled by measurement results that are difficult for them to interpret. Since we cannot control whether the minors' legal guardians actually consent to the test being carried out and supervise them, we exclude tests for under 18s altogether.

If you are under 18 and have purchased a test, please contact our customer support.

Why does it take up to a week for the sample to reach the lab?

Please bear in mind that your results will not be analyzed in the UK but in Germany. For that reason, it can take up to a week for the sample to arrive at the lab. This does not affect the stability of the samples, as the method we are using is optimized for long transports.

Initially, your sample is sent to our collection center in the UK. From there, it is shipped to our central sample sorting facility in Germany, which then distributes samples to our partner laboratories. Once your sample is analyzed there, you will receive a notification and can access your result online.

Please check your mailbox regularly. We will notify you as soon as your sample is sent, arrives, or is analyzed.