Find us at: Phoenix Hospital, Great Baddow, Chelmsford | 
Call us on: 01245 203 838 | 
Email us at: [email protected] Find us at: Phoenix Hospital, Great Baddow, Chelmsford | Call us on: 01245 203 838 | Email us at: [email protected] 
If you would like to understand your blood sugar levels without waiting for an NHS appointment, an HbA1c test can provide valuable information about your longer-term health.
Perhaps you have been feeling unusually tired, thirstier than normal, or have a family history of diabetes. Maybe you have previously been told your blood sugar was borderline, or have made changes to your lifestyle and would like to see whether these have made a difference.
Whatever has brought you here, we would be happy to help.
At Chelmsford Private GPs, we believe blood test results should always be interpreted in the context of the whole person, rather than simply providing laboratory numbers without explanation.
There are several reasons why people choose private diabetes testing.
Symptoms may include:
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have diabetes, but they are worthwhile discussing with a GP.
Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases your own risk, and testing can provide reassurance or identify early changes.
Some patients prefer not to wait for repeat NHS testing and would like to monitor their progress sooner.
Weight loss, dietary changes and increased physical activity can all improve blood sugar control. Testing can provide objective evidence of the progress you have made.
An HbA1c test can be included as part of a broader Well Man or Well Woman assessment.
HbA1c measures the proportion of haemoglobin in your red blood cells that has glucose attached to it.
Because red blood cells live for approximately three months, the test provides an estimate of your average blood glucose levels over the previous 8–12 weeks.
Unlike fasting glucose tests, you do not need to fast before an HbA1c test. You can eat, drink and take your usual medications as normal.
Results are generally interpreted as follows:
| HbA1c Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Below 42 mmol/mol | Within the normal range |
| 42–47 mmol/mol | Prediabetes (non-diabetic hyperglycaemia) |
| 48 mmol/mol or above | Diabetes range* |
We perform a venous blood test in clinic, providing laboratory-quality results.
An HbA1c test may be worth considering if you:
Appointments can usually be arranged quickly.
If you are a new patient, we recommend a 30-minute consultation to allow sufficient time to discuss your symptoms, medical history and any concerns. It also allows our GPs to explore other potential causes for your symptoms and ensure nothing is missed. This would be £160.
Existing patients can usually be seen in a 15-minute appointment for £95.
Because blood samples are transported to our London laboratory on the same day, blood tests are performed Monday to Friday before 4:00 pm.
During your appointment, one of our GPs will discuss your symptoms, relevant medical history and reasons for testing before arranging the blood sample.
The blood test itself only takes a few minutes.
Most results are available within 24–48 hours, although some specialist tests may take longer.
Your results will be reviewed by one of our experienced GPs and interpreted in the context of:
Patients receive a personalised email explaining the findings in clear, straightforward language together with any recommended next steps.
Where further discussion would be helpful or clinically indicated, we will arrange a telephone consultation.
Our aim is not simply to provide laboratory numbers but to help you understand what those results mean for your health.
This is reassuring.
Depending on your risk factors, we may still discuss lifestyle measures that can help reduce your future risk of diabetes.
Prediabetes is not diabetes.
It indicates that blood sugar levels are higher than normal and that there is an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
The good news is that, for many people, lifestyle changes can significantly reduce this risk.
We can discuss practical approaches including:
An HbA1c result of 48 mmol/mol or above may suggest diabetes.
If you do not have symptoms, repeat testing is usually recommended before confirming a diagnosis.
We will explain what the result means, discuss any further investigations that may be required, potential medication and advise regarding appropriate next steps.
Where specialist input would be beneficial, we can arrange onward referral.
Many private testing services provide results without meaningful interpretation.
Blood tests should always be considered alongside the wider clinical picture.
At Chelmsford Private GPs, your results are interpreted by an experienced GP who considers:
This helps avoid unnecessary anxiety and provides clear guidance regarding whether any further action is needed.
You can see our full range of tests on our private blood tests page.
No. You can eat and drink normally and take your usual medications before the test.
HbA1c results are available within 24–48 hours.
Patients receive a personalised email explaining the results and any recommended next steps. If further discussion is required, we will arrange a telephone consultation.
Home finger-prick tests are available, but an in-clinic venous blood sample generally provides greater accuracy and allows results to be interpreted by an experienced GP.
We will explain the findings clearly and discuss any further investigations, medication, monitoring or lifestyle changes that may be appropriate. You will not be left to interpret the results on your own.
Yes. HbA1c testing can be included as part of a Well Man or Well Woman health assessment.
Appointments can usually be arranged quickly.
New patients are advised to book a 30-minute consultation, while existing patients can usually be seen in a 15-minute appointment.
Blood tests are performed Monday to Friday before 4:00 pm to allow same-day transport of samples to our London laboratory.
Appointments take place at Phoenix Hospital, Essex Healthcare Park, Great Baddow, Chelmsford.
If you are concerned about diabetes risk, symptoms or simply wish to understand your health better, we would be happy to help.
Book a private HbA1c test in Chelmsford and have your results explained by an experienced GP.
You can contact us on any of the following:
Phoenix Hospital, Great Baddow, Chelmsford
Tel:
01245 203 838
Email:
[email protected]