The Diabetes Newly Diagnosed and Monitoring Test Panel measures your glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels. The glucose test measures your blood sugar level at the time of testing and will identify high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. If you're living with diabetes, these tests will help you and your healthcare provider monitor your blood sugar levels. An elevated glucose level means that your blood sugar levels are high at the time of testing. Abnormal blood glucose levels may be a sign of a serious medical condition.
HbA1c testing can help you and your healthcare provider know how well you're managing your blood sugar levels over time. An elevated A1c level means that your average blood sugar levels have been high over the past 3 months.
What is tested?
The Diabetes Management Test measures your glucose (blood sugar) levels at the time of testing and your hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to determine your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months.
Glucose is the main sugar found in your bloodstream. Sugar mainly comes from the food you eat and supplies energy to all cells in the body. Blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by hormones like insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Consistently high blood glucose is typically seen in individuals with uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes. In people with diabetes, insulin is either less effective or not produced in sufficient quantity, making it harder to manage the amount of sugar passing through the blood.
Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. When sugar enters the bloodstream, it attaches and sticks to hemoglobin molecules to form hemoglobin A1c. The HbA1c test is an important tool used for the screening, diagnosis, and management of diabetes.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of diabetes that is not well managed may be hard to recognize or go unnoticed. You may want to consider discussing your diabetes management plan with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
Eligibility
The Diabetes Management Test is for anyone who wants to measure their current and average blood glucose levels over the last 3 months. You must be 18 years old or older to purchase.
Preparing For Your Test
Fasting is recommended for 8 to 12 hours before your sample collection. You can drink water and take your regular medications as prescribed unless you are instructed not to by your healthcare provider. Please check with your healthcare provider. Those who choose not to fast may show elevated glucose levels.
After The Test
When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results. If your results differ from the expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.
