Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes are among the most prevalent — and most preventable — health conditions in the UK. An estimated 4.4 million people in England are living with diabetes, and a further 13.6 million are considered at high risk of developing it. In the vast majority of cases, the condition develops gradually over years, with blood sugar levels creeping upward long before any symptoms become apparent.
That window — before symptoms, before diagnosis, before complications — is the most important time to intervene. A private Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test gives you a clear, objective picture of how your body is managing blood glucose right now, so that if action is needed, you can take it while it still makes the biggest difference.
At Trupoint Health, our panel combines the HbA1c test — the clinical gold standard for diabetes diagnosis and monitoring — with fasting glucose, giving you both the long-term average and the immediate snapshot that together provide the most complete picture available. No GP referral required, results within 24–48 hours, and all testing carried out by our qualified phlebotomists and analysed by accredited laboratories.
Book your Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test online today.
What Does the Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test Include?
This panel combines two complementary blood sugar markers alongside optional tests for those who want deeper insight into insulin function and diabetes type.
HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)
HbA1c is the gold-standard test for diagnosing diabetes and monitoring blood sugar control over time. It measures the proportion of haemoglobin in your red blood cells that has become glycated — bound to glucose — over the preceding two to three months. Because red blood cells have a lifespan of approximately 90 days, HbA1c provides a reliable long-term average that is unaffected by what you ate yesterday or whether you fasted this morning.
UK clinical reference ranges: below 42 mmol/mol is normal; 42–47 mmol/mol indicates pre-diabetes (non-diabetic hyperglycaemia); 48 mmol/mol or above is consistent with a diabetes diagnosis. These thresholds are the same used by NHS clinicians.
Fasting Glucose
Fasting glucose measures your blood sugar level at a specific point in time, after a fast of at least 8 hours. It captures your immediate blood sugar status and is used alongside HbA1c to provide the most complete diagnostic picture. A fasting glucose of 6.1–6.9 mmol/L suggests impaired fasting glucose; 7.0 mmol/L or above on two separate occasions is consistent with a diabetes diagnosis. When HbA1c and fasting glucose are considered together, the picture is significantly more informative than either test alone.
Fasting Insulin — Optional Add-On
Fasting insulin is one of the most clinically valuable markers for detecting insulin resistance — a state in which the body’s cells have become less responsive to insulin’s signal to absorb glucose. Crucially, insulin resistance can be present for years while blood glucose remains within normal range. Testing fasting insulin alongside glucose provides an early warning that standard testing alone cannot offer.
C-Peptide — Optional Add-On
C-peptide is produced in equal amounts to insulin by the pancreatic beta cells and is a reliable marker of the body’s own insulin production. Measuring C-peptide is particularly useful for distinguishing between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes — in Type 1, where the pancreas cannot produce insulin, C-peptide will be very low or undetectable. This distinction is clinically important for guiding treatment decisions.
Who Should Consider a Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test?
A very large proportion of UK adults would benefit from knowing their HbA1c. Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes are conditions of gradual onset — by the time classic signs such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained fatigue, or blurred vision appear, the condition has often been developing for years.
This test is particularly valuable for anyone who is overweight or carrying excess weight around the abdomen, where the association with insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes is strongest. Those with a close family member who has Type 2 diabetes carry a significantly elevated genetic risk. Women with PCOS have a higher-than-average likelihood of insulin resistance and benefit greatly from this panel. People over 40 with any cardiovascular risk factors should test HbA1c regularly. Anyone told their blood sugar was borderline in a previous test, or who experienced gestational diabetes, should treat regular monitoring as a priority. Existing diabetics who want to track their control between NHS appointments will find this panel a practical alternative to waiting for a routine review.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Your appointment will take no more than 15 minutes. Our phlebotomist will confirm your details and take a small blood sample from a vein, typically in the crease of the elbow.
Fasting is required for the fasting glucose component of this panel. We ask you to fast for 8–12 hours before your appointment. Water is fine to drink — and we actively encourage it. Avoid food, coffee, tea with milk, fruit juice, and energy drinks during the fasting window. Most clients find it simplest to fast overnight and attend a morning appointment.
Although HbA1c does not technically require fasting, we ask all clients attending for this panel to fast so we can provide the most complete assessment. If you take medication for diabetes — including metformin, insulin, or SGLT2 inhibitors — please continue your usual regimen unless your prescriber has advised otherwise. Results are delivered to your secure portal within 24–48 hours with each marker clearly explained against standard clinical ranges.
Why Choose Trupoint Health for Your Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test?
Trupoint Health’s Diabetes & Blood Sugar Panel combines the clinical gold-standard HbA1c with fasting glucose — the combination that NHS guidelines themselves recommend for the most reliable assessment. Where many pharmacy-based tests offer a single HbA1c reading in isolation, our approach ensures you receive a genuinely complete picture.
No GP referral is required. You book online, attend a prompt appointment with one of our qualified phlebotomists, and receive your results within 24–48 hours via a secure portal. All samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory. Our pricing is fully transparent and fixed — no hidden consultation fees, no surprise charges. Optional add-ons — fasting insulin and C-peptide — are clearly priced separately. We serve clients across Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas, providing a confidential, UK GDPR-compliant service.
Book your Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test today — take control of your health.
Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral for a private HbA1c test?
No referral is needed. You can book your Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test directly with Trupoint Health online at any time. Many clients come to us because they want a prompt result rather than waiting weeks for a GP appointment, or because they want to monitor their blood sugar levels more frequently than NHS appointments allow.
How quickly will I get my results?
Results are typically available within 24–48 hours of your appointment, delivered securely to your personal online portal. Your HbA1c result is presented in mmol/mol alongside the clinical reference ranges for normal, pre-diabetes, and diabetes — so you can clearly see where your result sits.
Do I need to fast before my Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test?
Yes — fasting for 8–12 hours is required for the fasting glucose component. Water is encouraged throughout the fasting period. While HbA1c alone does not require fasting, we ask all clients to fast so we can provide the most complete assessment. A morning appointment makes this straightforward for most people.
How much does a private HbA1c test cost?
Trupoint Health provides transparent, fixed pricing with no hidden fees. Please visit our booking page for current panel prices. Fasting insulin and C-peptide are available as optional add-ons — contact our team if you would like to discuss a tailored panel.
What happens if my results show something abnormal?
Results in the pre-diabetes or diabetes range are clearly flagged in your portal with plain-language explanations and guidance on recommended next steps. We strongly encourage you to share these results with your GP, who can confirm the finding and discuss next steps. Pre-diabetes is very amenable to lifestyle intervention — catching it early is genuinely good news.
Is my data kept confidential?
Yes, fully. Trupoint Health is UK GDPR-compliant and registered with the ICO. Your personal and health data is stored securely and will never be shared with third parties — including your GP — without your explicit consent.
What is the difference between pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes?
Pre-diabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to meet the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis — in HbA1c terms, 42–47 mmol/mol. Research consistently shows that dietary change, increased physical activity, and modest weight loss can return blood sugar levels to normal and prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes entirely in a significant proportion of people.
Can I use a private HbA1c result as an official diagnosis?
Yes — HbA1c is the same test used by NHS clinicians for diabetes diagnosis, and our results are produced by accredited laboratories to the same standard. You can share your Trupoint Health results directly with your GP. However, a formal diagnosis of diabetes typically requires confirmation with a second test on a separate day unless you also have clear symptoms.
I have PCOS — should I test my blood sugar?
Yes, and regularly. PCOS is strongly associated with insulin resistance, which can be present even in women with a healthy BMI. Combining HbA1c with our optional fasting insulin add-on is particularly informative for women with PCOS — it can identify metabolic dysfunction at a stage when lifestyle intervention is most effective.
Book Your Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test Today
Knowing your blood sugar status is one of the most valuable and actionable pieces of health information you can have. The window before symptoms appear is the window where intervention works best. A private Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test with Trupoint Health gives you a clinically rigorous, same-standard-as-NHS result within 24–48 hours, without a GP referral and without a lengthy wait.
Book your private Diabetes & Blood Sugar Test online today — no referral, no waiting, no fuss.
Have a question? Contact our team — we are happy to help you choose the right test.
You might also be interested in our Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk Panel, General Health & Wellbeing Screen, and Corporate Health Check.