Diabetes Management Test

Measure blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1c to help track your progress and evaluate how well your diabetes management plan is working. Read more

Test details

Sample type:

Blood

Preparation:

Fasting (not eating or drinking anything except water) for 8-12 hours is recommended 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.

Test type: In Person

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$75.00

+ $6.00 Physician Service Fee

Quantity

What

The Diabetes Management Test measures blood glucose (blood sugar level) and Hemoglobin A1c (sugar-coated hemoglobin protein in the blood).

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

The Diabetes Management Test 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.

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. The 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 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:

Frequent urination
Increased thirst
Excessive hunger
Extreme fatigue
Dry mouth
Dry eyes
Blurred vision
Yeast infections
Unexplained weight loss
Itchy skin
Slow-healing cuts, bruises, or sores
Pain, numbness, or tingling in the hands, feet, or legs
Nausea and vomiting
Extremely dry skin
Frequent infections
Darkening and thickening of the skin on the neck, elbows, underarms, knuckles, groin, or knees

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com. This test requires specimen collection at a Quest Diagnostics location or through Quest Mobile™, a convenient option for in-home sample collection*. Collection not available in AK, AZ, or HI.

*Check your zip code here for service availability, not available in all locations.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call from an independent healthcare coordinator. Independent physicians are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

How it works

questhealth.com offers 100+ consumer-initiated Quest Diagnostics lab tests to empower you to have more control over your health journey. Choose from a variety of test types that best suit your needs.

In-person
In-home sample collection

Buy a lab test

No doctor visit is required for purchase.

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Register your test
& schedule an appointment

Book a visit to one of 2000+ Quest locations.

Visit Quest for sample collection

Complete your test sample collection during your scheduled appointment.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

Buy a lab test
+ in-home sample collection

No doctor visit required for purchase. If in-home service is available in your area, purchase for an additional $79 fee.

Buy now

Register your test
& schedule an appointment

After you make a purchase, register your test and Quest Mobile will contact you to schedule an in-home sample collection appointment.

In-home sample collection

A Quest Mobile phlebotomist will collect your sample and deliver it to Quest Diagnostics.

Get fast results

Access results online as soon as they’re available. You will be emailed when they are ready. Discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost. Treatment options may be available.

Now pair your Quest lab work with Health Coaching to put your diagnostic insights into action.

Learn more >

What is diabetes? What are the most common types? What other health conditions are associated with diabetes? Read the article to find out.

FAQs

What's the difference between type 1 and 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction when the body mistakenly attacks itself. During this reaction, beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin, are destroyed. Currently, there is no known prevention for type 1 diabetes. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in children but can develop later.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in older people, but it can affect people of all ages. In most people with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin but the body cannot use it effectively. Insulin resistance, or impaired insulin sensitivity, is a precursor to diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly.

How is A1c different from glucose level monitoring?

Routine glucose monitoring tells you your blood sugar level each time you test. The A1c test measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 3 months. Knowing your A1c is crucial, but it's not a substitute for routine self-monitoring. Both tests are important for the diagnosis and management of diabetes.

What lifestyle changes can I make to lower my A1c?

You can help to lower your A1c level by making healthy lifestyle decisions, such as eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, managing your weight, and taking medications as prescribed. Making healthy lifestyle choices and sticking to them are both crucial; consistency is key.

Are there other names for a hemoglobin A1C test?

Hemoglobin A1c tests may also be called the A1C, HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, glycohemoglobin, or hemoglobin A1C test.

What does a high A1c mean?

An elevated hemoglobin A1c level means your blood sugar levels have been high over the past 3 months. The A1c test reports the percentage of hemoglobin in your blood that is coated with sugar. A higher percentage indicates higher blood sugar levels over the past 3 months.

What does a high glucose measurement mean?

Glucose testing measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood and can help you determine whether your blood sugar levels are normal, high (hyperglycemia), or low (hypoglycemia) at the time of testing. A high blood sugar level means there is too much sugar in the blood at the time of testing.

Can I use my FSA or HSA funds to purchase tests at questhealth.com?

You may be able to use your FSA or HSA funds to purchase lab tests at questhealth.com. Please review your FSA/HSA plan or check with a tax professional to confirm specific requirements for individual eligibility.

Tests purchased on questhealth.com are only for individuals who intend to pay directly for testing and do not want to submit a claim for reimbursement under their health insurance.

Diabetes Management Test