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Biochemistry Diabetes Home collection available

HbA1c (HPLC)

Also known as: A1c, Glycated haemoglobin

Parameters1 tested
SampleBlood
FastingNot required
Report inSame day

How to prepare

No fasting needed

You can eat and drink normally before the test.

Good to know

No fasting needed.

Medicines

Tell our phlebotomist about any medicines you take. Don't stop them without asking your doctor.

Comfortable clothes

Wear a loose sleeve so the sample can be taken easily from your arm.

How it works

Book onlinePick a time slot
Home visitSealed, sterile kit
Lab testingBarcode tracked
ReportIn same day

About this test

HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over the last 2–3 months. Sugar sticks to haemoglobin in red cells, and since red cells live about 3 months, HbA1c works like a "report card" of long-term sugar control. Our lab uses the HPLC method, the gold standard.

Why is this test done?

  • Diagnose diabetes and prediabetes
  • Check how well diabetes is controlled (every 3 months)
  • Adjust diabetes medicines
  • No fasting needed — convenient screening

Symptoms — when should you get tested?

  • Excess thirst and frequent urination
  • Tiredness
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow-healing wounds
  • Family history of diabetes

Normal range

Normal < 5.7 %
Prediabetes 5.7 – 6.4 %
Diabetes 6.5 or more %
Good control in diabetes < 7.0 %

Reference ranges differ slightly between labs, methods, age and sex. Always discuss your report with your doctor.

If your result is high

A high HbA1c means your blood sugar has been high for months, raising the risk of damage to eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

Common reasons
  • Diabetes or prediabetes
  • Missed medicines or poor diet control
  • Iron deficiency anaemia can falsely raise it

If your result is low

A low HbA1c is usually fine; very low values can happen with frequent low sugars or conditions that shorten red cell life.

Common reasons
  • Recent blood loss or transfusion
  • Haemolytic anaemia
  • Frequent hypoglycaemia

How is the test done?

  1. 1
    Book online

    Choose your slot for home collection or a visit to our centre.

  2. 2
    Blood sample taken

    A trained phlebotomist takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm with a sealed, single-use needle. It takes about 2 minutes.

  3. 3
    Tested in our lab

    Your barcoded sample is tested on automated machines with strict quality checks.

  4. 4
    Report on WhatsApp

    A pathologist checks the result and the report reaches you on WhatsApp and email.

Save more with a health package

This test is also included in these checkups along with many other tests.

Full Body Checkup – Essential 10 tests · 21 parameters
Contact for price
Full Body Checkup – Advanced 14 tests · 31 parameters
Contact for price
Senior Citizen Health Checkup 13 tests · 27 parameters
Contact for price

Frequently asked questions

No. You can take this test at any time of day.

Every 3 months if you have diabetes, and yearly if you are at risk.

No fasting is needed for this test. You can eat and drink normally.

Your report is usually ready in same day after the sample reaches our lab. We send it on WhatsApp and email, and you can also download it from the Reports page.

Please call our team to confirm whether home sample collection is available for your location and test.

This test needs a blood sample. No fasting needed.

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