Diabetes Management Test

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. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

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.

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 expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you.

Your test results will be available to you a few days after we collect your sample.

How Does it Work?

Take an in-person test at a Quest Diagnostics location.

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Schedule your appointment after purchasing a test to minimize wait time.

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We will email you when your confidential results are available.

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Easy to buy & simple to schedule

After your purchase, schedule an appointment at a nearby Quest Diagnostics location and have your specimen sample collected by a trained healthcare professional.

Fast online results, with support

Access test results from your phone as soon as they’re available, with the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

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.