Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw from arm
- Fasting: 8–12 hours required for glucose
- Turn-around: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early detection - Screen for diabetes before symptoms appear, when treatment is most effective
- No doctor visit required - Order directly online and visit any of 2,000+ certified lab locations
- Save up to 85% - Transparent pricing without insurance markups or surprise medical bills
- Comprehensive monitoring - Track multiple diabetes markers including HbA1c and glucose levels
- Fast, confidential results - Access secure results online within 1–2 business days
- Preventive health insights - Identify prediabetes risk to prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults 35 and older seeking routine diabetes screening
- People with BMI ≥25 plus additional risk factors like family history
- Individuals with prediabetes needing regular monitoring to prevent progression
- Anyone experiencing diabetes symptoms like frequent thirst, urination, or fatigue
- People with a family history of diabetes wanting proactive health management
- Those making lifestyle changes and tracking blood sugar improvement
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Select your test and schedule at a convenient lab location near you
- Visit the lab - Quick blood draw at any of our 2,000+ certified locations nationwide
- Get results - Access your secure results online within 1-2 business days.
FAQ
What's the difference between HbA1c and fasting glucose tests? HbA1c measures average blood sugar over 2-3 months and requires no fasting, while fasting glucose shows current blood sugar levels after an 8-12 hour fast.
Can I eat before this test? HbA1c requires no fasting, but fasting plasma glucose requires 8-12 hours of fasting with only water permitted.
How accurate are these diabetes blood tests? HbA1c shows 96% specificity and fasting glucose demonstrates 98% specificity for diabetes diagnosis (PMC 2023).
What if my results are abnormal? Abnormal results should be confirmed with repeat testing, and we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider for treatment planning.
How often should I get tested for diabetes? Every 3 years for routine screening, annually if you have prediabetes, or as recommended by your healthcare provider.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
Diabetes blood tests diagnose and monitor diabetes and prediabetes by measuring glucose levels and related biomarkers. The primary tests include Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which reflects average blood glucose over 2-3 months, and Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), which measures blood sugar after fasting (American Diabetes Association 2024). These tests detect elevated glucose concentrations that indicate the body's inability to properly regulate blood sugar due to insulin deficiency or resistance.
Who would benefit from this test?
With 38.4 million Americans having diabetes and 8.7 million being undiagnosed, these tests provide accessible screening for early detection (CDC 2024). Adults 35 years and older, people with BMI ≥25 plus risk factors, those with family history of diabetes, and individuals with prediabetes particularly benefit from regular testing (American Diabetes Association 2024). The 97.6 million Americans with prediabetes especially need monitoring to prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes.
When should I order diabetes blood test?
Order diabetes testing for routine screening every 3 years if you're 35 or older, annually if you have prediabetes, or when experiencing symptoms like frequent thirst, urination, or unexplained weight changes (American Diabetes Association 2024). Schedule testing if you have risk factors including family history, obesity, or sedentary lifestyle. Morning appointments work best for fasting glucose tests.
How do I interpret the results?
HbA1c: Less than 5.7%
- What it means: Normal glucose levels
- Typical action: Continue healthy lifestyle, retest in 3 years
HbA1c: 5.7% to 6.4%
- What it means: Prediabetes range
- Typical action: Lifestyle changes, annual monitoring
HbA1c: 6.5% or higher
- What it means: Diabetes diagnosis
- Typical action: Medical consultation, treatment planning
For fasting plasma glucose: Normal <100 mg/dL, Prediabetes 100-125 mg/dL, Diabetes ≥126 mg/dL (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Pre-test preparation
HbA1c requires no special preparation and can be done any time of day (Healthline 2024). For fasting plasma glucose, fast for 8-12 hours with only water permitted. Take medications as usual unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider. Schedule morning appointments to minimize discomfort from fasting.
How often should I get tested?
Normal results, routine screening
- Suggested interval: Every 3 years
Prediabetes diagnosis
- Suggested interval: Annually
Diabetes management
- Suggested interval: Every 3–6 months for HbA1c
High-risk factors present
- Suggested interval: Annually or as recommended
Why early detection matters
Early diabetes detection enables intervention before complications develop. Lifestyle modification can reduce diabetes risk by 58% through 5-7% weight loss and 150 minutes of weekly exercise (PMC 2014). Diabetes costs the U.S. $327 billion annually, with diabetics spending 2.3 times more on healthcare than non-diabetics (CFAH 2021). Early detection and management prevent costly complications affecting heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
Related tests you may consider
Lipid Panel Blood Test - Measures the amount of good and bad cholesterol to assess risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
C-Peptide Serum Test - Helps determines how much insulin the pancreas is producing.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) with eGFR Blood Test - Evaluates nutrient levels, liver, and kidney function.
