What is a Blood Sugar Test?
Our blood sugar test is a blood test which can be conducted from the convenience of your own home. We will send you a blood collection kit so that you can collect a small sample of blood and send it off for testing. Please click here to see a video that explains how to collect the blood sample and send it off. A leaflet explaining what to do is also available here. It’s a simple painless process that takes less than 5 minutes.
Do not squeeze the finger when collecting the blood sample. A good firm prick from the lancet is needed, and then take your time.
Warm the hand before sample collection, this can help a great deal.
Use the little finger and gently milk the hand rather than squeezing the finger.
Stand up when collecting the blood sample, as this can really assist blood flow.
The test measures levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in your blood. HbA1c is a form of haemoglobin that has been transformed by the presence of glucose in the blood. It is used as a measure of the average amount of glucose in the blood over a period of 3 months. If there are normal levels of glucose in the blood, on average, then there will be normal levels of HbA1c. If there are elevated levels of HbA1c, then this indicates elevated levels of glucose in the blood, on average. Measurement of HbA1c is not subject to the variations of direct measurements of blood glucose, which fluctuate a great deal depending on the time of day and how long it is since you have eaten.
Why should I have a Blood Sugar Test?
A persistently increased level of glucose in the blood (blood sugar) is indicative of diabetes, which is a serious chronic disease that requires treatment.
Men with diabetes often suffer from erectile dysfunction, and so if you are suffering from erectile dysfunction it is important to rule out diabetes as a serious cause. This is why we recommend all men with erectile dysfunction to have a blood sugar test.
The results of the test will be sent to the “Test Results” area of your Pharmacy2U Online Doctor account. You will be notified by email when the results are there, and the doctor will also be notified of the results.
The result will tell you the level of HbA1c in your blood, and it will indicate the normal levels and indicate if your result falls within the normal range.
If we do find abnormal levels of HbA1c the doctor will get in touch with you to recommend the appropriate course of action.