Glucose blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Glucose is the main sugar in your blood and the body's key source of energy. After you eat, glucose rises and the hormone insulin helps move it into your cells, bringing the level back down. If the body does not make enough insulin, or does not respond to it well, glucose stays higher than it should.

A single glucose reading is a snapshot of that moment. It is most informative when taken after an overnight fast, because food and drink cause large short-term changes. For a longer-term view, glucose is often paired with HbA1c, which reflects the previous two to three months.

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 a family history of type 2 diabetes.
• You are carrying extra weight, especially around the waist.
• You have had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy.
• You have symptoms such as increased thirst, passing more urine or unexplained tiredness.
• You want a low-cost baseline as part of looking after your health.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your glucose value with the laboratory reference range, and your practitioner will check whether the sample was taken fasting. In the UK, a fasting glucose at or above 7.0 mmol/L is in the range used to diagnose diabetes when confirmed, and values between 6.1 and 6.9 mmol/L suggest a raised risk, often called impaired fasting glucose.

Glucose can be temporarily raised by illness, stress, steroid medicines or not fasting fully. Low readings can occur after a long fast or heavy exercise. A value outside the range is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis, and any suspicion of diabetes is confirmed by your GP with repeat or additional testing.

Preparing for your test

Fasting is needed: please do not eat or drink anything except plain water for 8 to 10 hours before your appointment, so a morning slot works best. Avoid heavy exercise beforehand. If you take diabetes medicines, especially insulin or tablets that can cause low blood sugar, speak to your doctor about fasting before you book, and do not skip medicines without advice.

Diabetes Status combines glucose with HbA1c and insulin for a fuller view, and Omnia Essential includes glucose within a general health check. You can see every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is a glucose blood test in Chiswick?

A glucose blood test at Omnia Lifestyle costs £39. This includes the sample at our Chiswick clinic, laboratory analysis, a practitioner review of your result and a GP feedback report on request.

Do I need to fast for a glucose test?

Yes, for the most useful reading. Have nothing but water for 8 to 10 hours beforehand. A non-fasting sample is harder to interpret.

Is glucose or HbA1c better for checking diabetes?

They answer different questions. Glucose shows your level at one moment, while HbA1c shows the average over recent months. Many people find it helpful to have both.

Can one glucose test diagnose diabetes?

Not on its own in most cases. Diagnosis usually needs a repeat test or a second type of test, which your GP can arrange.