Fructosamine blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

When glucose circulates in the blood, some of it attaches to proteins, mainly albumin. These glucose-bound proteins are known as fructosamine. Because blood proteins are replaced over roughly two to three weeks, the fructosamine level reflects average blood sugar over that shorter window, compared with the two to three months shown by HbA1c.

Fructosamine is not used to diagnose diabetes in the UK, where HbA1c and glucose are the standard tests. It is mainly helpful as a monitoring tool, particularly for people whose HbA1c may be misleading, such as those with some types of anaemia, a haemoglobin variant, recent blood loss or a transfusion, and sometimes during pregnancy.

The price includes the blood sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result with you, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have diabetes and want to see whether a recent change in treatment or diet is working.
• You have been told your HbA1c may not be reliable because of a blood or haemoglobin condition.
• You have recently had a blood transfusion or significant blood loss.
• Your practitioner has suggested a shorter-term view of your blood sugar.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your fructosamine against the laboratory reference range. A higher result means your blood sugar has, on average, been running higher over recent weeks. A lower result means it has been lower, but it can also reflect low blood protein levels.

Because fructosamine depends on albumin, conditions that change protein levels, such as liver disease, kidney conditions that cause protein loss or thyroid disorders, can affect it. A value outside the range is a prompt for discussion with your practitioner, and a new concern about diabetes should be confirmed with your GP using standard tests.

Preparing for your test

Fasting is not needed for fructosamine, as it reflects several weeks rather than your last meal. Avoid high-dose vitamin C supplements and high-dose biotin for 48 hours before the sample if you can, as both may interfere with some laboratory methods. If you take diabetes medicines, continue them as prescribed.

For the standard diabetes markers, Diabetes Status includes HbA1c and glucose. Fructosamine is also part of Omnia Signature. You can also see every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a fructosamine test in Chiswick?

A fructosamine blood test at Omnia Lifestyle costs £69. This includes the sample at our Chiswick clinic, laboratory analysis, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request.

How is fructosamine different from HbA1c?

HbA1c reflects blood sugar over two to three months and is linked to red blood cells. Fructosamine reflects around two to three weeks and is linked to blood proteins, so it responds faster to change.

Can fructosamine diagnose diabetes?

No. In the UK, diabetes is diagnosed using HbA1c or glucose tests. Fructosamine is mainly a monitoring tool.

Do I need to fast?

No. Fructosamine is not affected by a single meal, so you can eat and drink as normal before your appointment.