Blood Testing · Coming Soon
Private
Diabetes Check
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes affect millions of people in the UK — most of whom don't know it yet. A private diabetes check gives you a clear picture of your blood sugar regulation, HbA1c, and insulin sensitivity, reviewed by a licensed clinician. Coming soon to The GP Service.
Licensed UK clinicians
Results within 24 hours
Clinician-reviewed results
Overview
What Is a Private Diabetes Check?
A private diabetes check is a blood test — or panel of blood tests — that assesses how well your body is regulating blood sugar. It can identify type 2 diabetes that has not yet been diagnosed, prediabetes (where blood sugar is elevated but has not yet reached the diabetic threshold), and insulin resistance — the underlying metabolic dysfunction that precedes type 2 diabetes by years or decades.
The core marker is HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin), which gives a reliable picture of your average blood glucose over the past two to three months. Unlike a single glucose reading, HbA1c is not affected by what you ate that morning or whether you are stressed — it reflects the sustained pattern of your blood sugar control. A fasting glucose adds a point-in-time measure, and extended panels can include fasting insulin and a calculated marker of insulin resistance called HOMA-IR.
Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 4.3 million people in the UK, and an estimated 850,000 more are living with it undiagnosed. A further 6–7 million are in the prediabetic range. Many people with elevated HbA1c have no symptoms at all — which is precisely why testing matters. Caught early, the trajectory of prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes is highly modifiable through lifestyle, and in many cases reversible.
Coming Soon to The GP Service
We are launching private Diabetes Check testing shortly — including HbA1c, fasting glucose, and optional extended panels with insulin resistance markers. Every result will be reviewed by a licensed clinician with a plain-English explanation and onward management where needed. Register above to be notified as soon as it goes live.
What Gets Measured
What Does a Diabetes Check Include?
Our panels will range from a standard HbA1c and fasting glucose check to a comprehensive metabolic assessment including insulin resistance markers and cardiovascular risk factors. Here is what each marker tells you.
HbA1c
Normal: <42 · Prediabetes: 42–47 · Diabetes: ≥48
Glycated haemoglobin — the gold-standard marker of long-term blood sugar control. Reflects average glucose over 2–3 months. Does not require fasting and is not affected by short-term dietary changes. The most widely used test for diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes.
Glycated haemoglobin — the gold-standard marker of long-term blood sugar control. Reflects average glucose over 2–3 months. Does not require fasting and is not affected by short-term dietary changes. The most widely used test for diagnosing and monitoring type 2 diabetes.
mmol/mol
Fasting Glucose
Normal: <5.6 · Prediabetes: 5.6–6.9 · Diabetes: ≥7.0
Blood glucose measured after a minimum 8–10 hour fast. Provides a point-in-time snapshot of baseline blood sugar. Used alongside HbA1c for a more complete picture — particularly useful when HbA1c may be unreliable (e.g. in haemolytic anaemia or certain haemoglobin variants).
Blood glucose measured after a minimum 8–10 hour fast. Provides a point-in-time snapshot of baseline blood sugar. Used alongside HbA1c for a more complete picture — particularly useful when HbA1c may be unreliable (e.g. in haemolytic anaemia or certain haemoglobin variants).
mmol/L
Fasting Insulin
Normal: 18–173 pmol/L
Measures the amount of insulin your pancreas is producing in the fasted state. Elevated fasting insulin — even with a normal glucose — is a key early indicator of insulin resistance. Requires fasting and is included in extended panels.
Measures the amount of insulin your pancreas is producing in the fasted state. Elevated fasting insulin — even with a normal glucose — is a key early indicator of insulin resistance. Requires fasting and is included in extended panels.
pmol/L
HOMA-IR
Normal: <1.5 · Borderline: 1.5–2.5 · Resistance: >2.5
Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance — calculated from fasting glucose and fasting insulin. The most widely used clinical marker of insulin resistance. Can be significantly elevated years before HbA1c or glucose become abnormal.
Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance — calculated from fasting glucose and fasting insulin. The most widely used clinical marker of insulin resistance. Can be significantly elevated years before HbA1c or glucose become abnormal.
Index
Fasting Lipids
Total cholesterol target: <5.0 mmol/L
A dyslipidaemia pattern — elevated triglycerides, low HDL, and elevated small dense LDL — is closely associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Included in comprehensive panels to assess overall cardiometabolic risk alongside glucose markers.
A dyslipidaemia pattern — elevated triglycerides, low HDL, and elevated small dense LDL — is closely associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. Included in comprehensive panels to assess overall cardiometabolic risk alongside glucose markers.
mmol/L
C-Peptide
Normal: 0.26–1.73 nmol/L
A by-product of insulin production that indicates how much insulin your pancreas is making. Useful in distinguishing type 1 from type 2 diabetes, and in assessing remaining beta cell function in those already diagnosed. Included in specialist panels.
A by-product of insulin production that indicates how much insulin your pancreas is making. Useful in distinguishing type 1 from type 2 diabetes, and in assessing remaining beta cell function in those already diagnosed. Included in specialist panels.
nmol/L
Results Always Need Clinical Context
HbA1c can be falsely low or high in certain conditions — including haemolytic anaemia, iron deficiency, and some haemoglobin variants. Fasting glucose is affected by recent illness, stress, and certain medications. Results are most meaningful when interpreted by a clinician alongside your symptoms, history, and risk factors. When we launch this service, every result comes with a clinician review — not just a number against a range.
Indications
When Should You Get a Diabetes Check?
Because type 2 diabetes and prediabetes are often asymptomatic in their early stages, testing is appropriate both when you have specific concerns and as part of routine health monitoring — especially if any of the following apply to you.
Classic Symptoms
Increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained fatigue, blurred vision, or slow-healing cuts and infections are all hallmark symptoms of elevated blood sugar that warrant prompt testing.
Family History
Having a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes significantly increases your risk. Family history is one of the strongest predictors — testing is recommended earlier and more frequently if it applies to you.
Overweight or Obesity
Excess body weight — particularly around the abdomen — is strongly associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk. BMI alone underestimates risk; waist circumference is often more informative.
Known Prediabetes
If you have previously been told your HbA1c or fasting glucose is borderline, regular monitoring is essential. Prediabetes is not inevitable — lifestyle intervention can prevent or significantly delay progression to type 2 diabetes.
History of Gestational Diabetes
Women who had gestational diabetes during pregnancy have a significantly elevated lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes and should be tested regularly — at least annually after the initial post-partum check.
Medication Side Effects
Certain medications — including long-term corticosteroids, some antipsychotics, and statins at high doses — can elevate blood glucose. Regular monitoring is appropriate if you are on these treatments.
Cardiovascular Disease or Hypertension
Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease share many risk factors and are closely linked. A diabetes check is part of a thorough cardiovascular risk assessment.
Fatigue and Low Energy
Persistent tiredness without an obvious cause is a common early presentation of elevated blood sugar. An HbA1c is a straightforward way to rule this in or out alongside other possible causes.
Routine Health Screening
NHS guidelines recommend diabetes screening from age 40 (earlier for higher-risk groups). A private check gives you faster access, a more comprehensive panel, and a clinician to discuss results with directly.
The Process
What's Involved in Getting a Diabetes Check
A diabetes check requires a simple blood draw. If your panel includes a fasting glucose or insulin, you will need to attend your appointment in a fasted state. Here is what the process will look like from booking to receiving your results.
1
Book Your Test
Choose your panel and book a phlebotomy appointment — no GP referral needed.
Choose a convenient phlebotomy location
Or request a home visit blood draw
Fast from the previous evening if your panel includes glucose or insulin
2
Give Your Sample
A simple venous blood draw — typically under 5 minutes.
Attend fasted for glucose and insulin panels
Water is fine before any panel
Processed by an accredited UK laboratory
3
Review with a Clinician
Your results are reviewed by a licensed clinician before being returned to you.
Plain-English explanation of HbA1c and glucose
Risk assessment and lifestyle guidance
Medication or referral arranged where needed
Launching Shortly
We are finalising our laboratory partnerships and clinical workflow for our private Diabetes Check. We expect to launch within the coming weeks. Register at the top of this page to be notified as soon as it is available — early registrants will receive priority access.
Interpreting Results
What Do Your Results Mean?
A single HbA1c or fasting glucose value places you in one of three broad categories — but the full picture is more nuanced than that. Here is how the key values are interpreted, and what they typically mean in practice.
HbA1c (mmol/mol)
Category
What It Means
Below 42
Normal
Blood sugar regulation is within the healthy range. Continue with routine monitoring if you have risk factors.
42–47
Prediabetes
Blood sugar is higher than ideal but not yet in the diabetic range. Lifestyle intervention at this stage can prevent or delay progression significantly.
48 or above
Indicative of diabetes
Consistent with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. A repeat confirmatory test is required unless you have clear symptoms. Treatment and management will be discussed with your clinician.
Fasting Glucose (mmol/L)
Category
What It Means
Below 5.6
Normal
Fasting blood sugar is within the healthy range.
5.6–6.9
Impaired fasting glucose
Elevated fasting glucose suggesting impaired glucose regulation. Often found alongside a borderline HbA1c. Lifestyle modification strongly advised.
7.0 or above
Indicative of diabetes
Consistent with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes if confirmed on a second occasion or alongside symptoms.
A Single Result Is Not Always the Whole Story
HbA1c can be misleading in conditions that affect red blood cell turnover — including haemolytic anaemia, iron deficiency, and certain haemoglobin variants. Fasting glucose is influenced by recent illness and stress. Our clinicians will flag any factors that could affect the reliability of your results and advise on whether repeat testing or an alternative investigation is appropriate.
Prediabetes & Prevention
Prediabetes — What It Means and What You Can Do
A prediabetic HbA1c is not a life sentence. It is a window of opportunity. Research consistently shows that structured lifestyle intervention at the prediabetic stage can reduce the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by 50–60% — and in many cases normalise blood sugar entirely.
Dietary modification
Reduced refined carbohydrates
Increased physical activity
Weight management
Improved sleep quality
Stress reduction
Intermittent fasting
Low-carbohydrate diets
Metformin (in selected cases)
Why Catching It Early Matters So Much
Type 2 diabetes develops silently over years. By the time it is diagnosed — often during a routine check or incidentally during an investigation for something else — the underlying insulin resistance has typically been present for a decade or more. The earlier you identify elevated blood sugar or insulin resistance, the more runway you have to reverse course before complications develop.
Complications of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, and significantly increased risk of stroke. These complications take years to develop, and most are substantially preventable with early detection and appropriate management.
Complications of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes include cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, and significantly increased risk of stroke. These complications take years to develop, and most are substantially preventable with early detection and appropriate management.
Already Have a Diabetes Diagnosis?
If you are already managing type 2 diabetes and need HbA1c monitoring, medication review, or lifestyle support, you do not need to wait for our blood test service to launch. Our clinicians can provide diabetes management consultations now, including reviewing your current treatment, discussing targets, and arranging onward referral where appropriate. Book a consultation
Why The GP Service
What Will Make Our Diabetes Check Different
Private diabetes tests in the UK range from a finger-prick HbA1c mailed to you with no interpretation, to genuinely comprehensive metabolic panels with clinical support. We are building the latter. Here is what will set our service apart.
Every result reviewed by a licensed clinician
Your HbA1c and glucose values will not be posted to you without context. A licensed UK clinician will review your results and what they mean for you before you receive them.
Plain-English explanations and risk context
An HbA1c of 45 mmol/mol tells you very little on its own. We will explain what your result means given your age, history, and risk factors — not just whether a number is inside a range.
Comprehensive panels including insulin resistance
We will offer panels that go beyond HbA1c and fasting glucose — including fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, which can detect metabolic dysfunction years before standard markers become abnormal.
Treatment and medication where appropriate
If your results indicate that metformin or another intervention is clinically appropriate, our clinicians can prescribe in the same consultation — no second appointment required.
Personalised lifestyle guidance
A prediabetic result is most valuable when paired with clear, practical guidance on what to change. Our clinicians will discuss diet, activity, and monitoring — not just hand you a number and wish you luck.
Joined up with your NHS care
We share results and clinical notes with your NHS GP where appropriate, so your full health picture is available to whoever provides your care — especially important for ongoing diabetes management.
Our Clinical Approach
How We Will Approach Your Results
A HbA1c above the normal range is the beginning of a clinical conversation, not the end of one. Here is what the process will look like from booking to any onward management being arranged.
You book and select your panel
Choose from a standard HbA1c and fasting glucose check, or a comprehensive panel including insulin resistance markers and lipids. Book a phlebotomy appointment online — no GP referral needed. If fasting is required, you will be advised to attend first thing in the morning having not eaten since the previous evening.
Laboratory analysis — results within 24–48 hours
Your sample is processed by a CQC-registered UK laboratory. HbA1c, fasting glucose, and any other markers included in your panel are analysed and passed to your reviewing clinician.
Clinician reviews results in your context
A licensed clinician reviews your values alongside the reason for your test, your symptoms, family history, BMI, and any relevant medications. Results are not assessed in isolation — your full risk picture is what matters.
You receive a plain-English results summary
Your results are returned with a written explanation of every significant value. Normal results are confirmed with reassurance. Borderline or abnormal values are explained clearly — what they suggest, how clinically significant the deviation is, and what the appropriate next steps are.
Lifestyle guidance and treatment arranged where needed
If your results indicate prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or significant insulin resistance, your clinician will discuss dietary and lifestyle modifications, monitoring frequency, and — where clinically appropriate — prescribe medication or arrange specialist referral in the same consultation.
Results shared with your NHS GP
With your consent, your results and the associated clinical note are shared with your NHS GP so they are part of your complete health record. For significant findings, we will flag these proactively and facilitate any necessary NHS follow-up.
What If I Already Have FBC Results I Don't Understand?
You do not need to wait for our diabetes check to launch if you already have blood results showing an elevated HbA1c or glucose. Our clinicians can discuss existing results from your NHS GP or a previous private test as part of a general health consultation, available now. Book a consultation
In the Meantime
What to Do While the Service Launches
If you have symptoms or concerns right now, you do not have to wait. Several routes are available through The GP Service today, alongside registering for early access to our diabetes check.
Book a General Health Consultation
A licensed clinician can assess your symptoms and risk factors today and arrange a private blood test referral including HbA1c and fasting glucose if clinically indicated.
Get Existing Results Reviewed
Already have HbA1c or glucose results from your GP but unsure what they mean? Book a consultation now to have a clinician explain your results and advise on next steps.
Request a Private Blood Test Referral
Our clinicians can issue a private laboratory referral for HbA1c, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance markers today — without waiting for our full diabetes check service to launch.
Diabetes Medication Review
If you are already on metformin or another diabetes medication and need a review or dose adjustment, our clinicians can help today — including arranging repeat testing to guide any changes.
Register for Early Access
Leave your details at the top of this page and we will notify you the moment our diabetes check goes live — including any introductory pricing available to early registrants.
Private Diabetes Check — coming to The GP Service soon.
Register now and be the first to know when we launch. Our diabetes check will include HbA1c, fasting glucose, and optional insulin resistance markers — with a clinician-reviewed result, plain-English explanation, and onward management if anything needs following up.
Register for Early Access
HbA1c & fasting glucose
Results within 24–48 hours
Clinician-reviewed — not just a data file
Secure & confidentiaL
Licensed UK clinicians
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a private diabetes check measure?
A standard private diabetes check measures HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin), which reflects your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months, and fasting glucose. Extended panels also include fasting insulin, HOMA-IR (a calculated marker of insulin resistance), and a lipid profile. Together these markers provide a comprehensive picture of your metabolic health — not just whether you meet a threshold for a diabetes diagnosis, but how your blood sugar and insulin regulation are functioning overall.
Do I need to fast before a diabetes blood test?
It depends on which panel you select. HbA1c does not require fasting — it reflects a 2–3 month average and is unaffected by what you ate that morning. Fasting glucose and fasting insulin, however, require a minimum of 8–10 hours without food or caloric drinks. If your panel includes either of these markers, we will advise you to attend your appointment first thing in the morning having eaten nothing since the previous evening. Water is always fine.
What is the difference between prediabetes and type 2 diabetes?
Prediabetes is defined by an HbA1c between 42 and 47 mmol/mol, or a fasting glucose between 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L. At this stage, blood sugar is elevated above the healthy range but has not yet reached the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. Crucially, prediabetes is highly reversible with lifestyle intervention — research shows a 50–60% reduction in progression risk with dietary change and increased physical activity. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed at HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol or fasting glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L on two separate occasions (or once if symptoms are present).
Can I have type 2 diabetes with no symptoms?
Yes — this is extremely common. An estimated 850,000 people in the UK are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, and a further 6–7 million are in the prediabetic range. Many have no symptoms at all, or attribute symptoms such as fatigue and increased thirst to other causes. This is why proactive testing — particularly if you have risk factors such as family history, excess weight, or a sedentary lifestyle — is so valuable.
How quickly do results come back?
Results from a private laboratory are typically available within 24–48 hours of the sample being received. When we launch this service, we aim to return results with a full clinician review within 24–48 hours — including a clear explanation of what your HbA1c, glucose, and any other markers mean, and what, if anything, needs to happen next.
What happens if my HbA1c is in the prediabetic or diabetic range?
All results are reviewed by a licensed clinician before being returned to you. If your HbA1c or fasting glucose is in the prediabetic range, your clinician will explain the result clearly, provide practical guidance on dietary and lifestyle changes, advise on how frequently to retest, and discuss whether any medication (such as metformin) is appropriate. If your results are in the diabetic range, a repeat confirmatory test will be recommended alongside a full management discussion. You will never receive an abnormal result without clinical support and a clear plan.
What is HOMA-IR and why does it matter?
HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a calculated value derived from your fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels. It is the most widely used clinical marker of insulin resistance — the underlying metabolic dysfunction that drives the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Crucially, HOMA-IR can be significantly elevated years before HbA1c or fasting glucose become abnormal, making it a valuable early warning marker for those who want to get ahead of the problem rather than wait for it to manifest.
Can I get a diabetes check without seeing a GP first?
Yes — when this service launches, you will be able to request a diabetes check directly through The GP Service without a prior GP appointment or referral. Our clinicians will review your results and discuss them with you directly. If your results indicate something that requires referral or liaison with your NHS GP, we will manage that on your behalf.
Will my results be shared with my NHS GP?
With your consent, yes. We strongly encourage sharing results and clinical notes with your NHS GP so that your full health picture is available to whoever provides your care. If your results are clinically significant — particularly a new diagnosis of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes — we will advise you on the importance of informing your NHS GP and can write to them directly if appropriate.
When is this service launching?
We expect to launch our private Diabetes Check shortly. Register at the top of this page to be notified as soon as it goes live. Early registrants will receive priority access and will be informed of any introductory pricing before it is made public.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this page. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 999 or your local emergency services immediately.