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According to a National Diabetes Statistics Report, 34.1 million people ages 18 and older had diabetes in the United States in 2018. More concerning: 7.3 million adults who met the criteria for diabetes hadn’t been diagnosed.

When you have diabetes, it is important to monitor your blood sugar, but a healthcare professional will also want to check your A1C levels to understand how your diabetes is being managed.

Your A1C, or HbA1c, as it’s sometimes referred to, is like taking a snapshot of your glucose readings over the past 8 to 12 weeks.

Your A1C is the average of your blood sugar readings. The higher your level is, the more at risk you are of having a problem with diabetes.

A1C can be used to screen or diagnose prediabetes or diabetes, or just monitor how your diabetes is doing.

Your A1C can fluctuate with lifestyle changes, certain medications, or hormonal changes. Because of this, it’s important to make sure you’re checking your levels at least twice per year if you’re getting treatment for diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

If your doctor recommends it, you may want to check your A1C more often.

“You can take this test at your doctor’s office, but with advances in technology, you now have more options for at- home testing.”

Some people do at- home tests to supplement their monitoring. It is a good idea to discuss your goal with your doctor before you try to substitute home testing.

We considered a number of factors to pick the best test kit.

We looked at the type of testing offered and whether it was done at home or in a lab. The test kits have options for every person.

Best overall

LetsGetChecked

  • Price: $79 for Diabetes Test, and $89 for Diabetes and Heart Test
  • Insurance coverage: accepts FSA and HSA cards, but doesn’t take insurance
  • Results: 2-5 days

The Diabetes Test and Diabetes and Heart Test are available at LetsGetChecked.

The Diabetes Test is right for you if you only want to know your HbA1c. The Diabetes and Heart Test has a number of tests, including the HbA1c test, cholesterol, and total cholesterol.

People with diabetes or prediabetes have a higher risk of heart problems.

You can choose express delivery for a fee or free delivery for standard shipping.

When you receive the box, you will be able to answer a short questionnaire. The testing page has instructional videos. If your results are out of range, a nurse will call you.

LetsGetChecked is a program that you can learn more about.

Pros

  • The app is available for your phone (iOS and Android) or tablet.
  • It is certified by the CAP and ISO.
  • It can test for a variety of diseases.

Cons

  • “You can’t use promotional codes in a subscription purchase.”
  • “It doesn’t accept insurance.”
  • “It can’t be shipped to certain states.”

Use code HEALTHLINE25 for 25% off.

Shop now at LetsGetChecked

Best for membership

Everlywell

  • Price: $49 or $24.99 per month with membership
  • Insurance coverage: accepts FSA and HSA cards, but doesn’t take insurance
  • Results: within 5 days

The Everlywell offers a wide range of at- home testing, including the HbA1c test.

You will have access to significant discounts on the testing options if you become a member. You can get a test for $24.99 per month.

It will be delivered to your home in 5 to 10 business days after you pay for the test. Once you receive your kit, you will need to register it using an ID number on the box.

Testing can be done by using a finger and there are videos on the site.

You will get your results within 5 business days if you have a physician review them. The report contains information on how to interpret your results. If the results are positive, a physician will contact you to discuss the next steps.

You can learn more about Everlywell here.

Pros

  • It has options for membership pricing.
  • It is certified by the CLIA.
  • It offers a live webinars to learn more about your results.

Cons

  • It is not available in New York.
  • “It doesn’t have insurance.”
  • The processing time of Everlywell is slower than other companies.
Shop now at Everlywell

Best for detailed results

Verisana

  • Price: $49
  • Insurance coverage: none
  • Results: within 3 weeks

You will receive your Verisana HbA1c kit within 7 days of ordering. The website has instructions on how to collect a finger-prick blood sample.

You will receive your results via email within 3 weeks. If blood sugar levels are outside of the healthy range, a lab report will explain the markers and symptoms that may arise.

“Verisana doesn’t give medical advice and encourages you to see a healthcare professional to get guidance”

“Verisana values customer privacy and doesn’t give your information to unauthorized third parties.”

Verisana tests are not available in several states.

Pros

  • The results are easy to understand.
  • It is easy to collect a sample.

Cons

  • The results take a while to come up with.
  • The website can be hard to navigate.
  • “It doesn’t accept insurance.”
Shop now at Verisana

Best for physician-reviewed testing

Cerascreen

Price: $49
Insurance coverage: none
Results: within 1 week

Cerascreen was founded in Germany in 2012 The company offers a variety of courses.

To take the Cerascreen HbA1c Test, you need to take a blood sample and send it to a lab that will review it.

You’ll receive your results via the Cerascreen app (available for iOS and Android) or an account on the website. The laboratory analysis will let you know if your HbA1c long-term blood is within a healthy range.

You will receive recommendations on how to improve your health and whether you need to see a doctor. Cerascreen gives information about the importance of sugar levels.

Cerascreen tests are not available in several states.

Pros

  • Recommendations are included in the personalized results.
  • It is certified by the CLIA.
  • There is an app.

Cons

  • “It doesn’t accept insurance.”
  • Customer service response times are long.
  • Some customers have delayed test results.
Shop now at Cerascreen

Best for laboratory testing

Pixel by Labcorp

  • Price: $39 for Diabetes Risk (HbA1c) Test
  • Insurance coverage: accepts FSA and HSA cards, but doesn’t take insurance
  • Results: varies

Labcorp was founded in 1969. It has grown to a large network of labs that are CAP accredited.

The company processes millions of test samples. You can request a test kit at the at- home testing branch of Labcorp. There are no additional fees you need to pay when you go to the lab.

The Diabetes Risk (HbA1c) Test is only for A1C, but there are other tests for diabetes. The A1C, cholesterol and Lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, and albumin:creatinine ratio are all included in the test.

You will need to create an account with the company to pay for your test. You will be sent a number that you will take to a Labcorp testing center.

The results will be returned through the site. A physician will notify you if your results come back out of range.

You can learn more about the project here.

Pros

  • The company has a long history.
  • It has laboratories that are accredited by the CAP and the CLIA.
  • Doctors are contracted by Labcorp to order and review tests.

Cons

  • Home testing is not available.
  • There might not be a test site near you.
  • If you request a refund within 6 months, you will be charged a $6.50 fee.
Shop now at Pixel by Labcorp

Best for follow-up care

myLAB Box

  • Price: $74
  • Insurance coverage: none
  • Results: 1-5 days

In- home test services have been provided by myLAB Box. There are many other tests that the company has to offer.

The A1C test is not available in New York, but myLAB Box offers testing in all 50 states.

You can order your test online, and it will be delivered to you in discreet packaging.

You’ll activate your A1C test online with the provided ID number, and then you’ll collect your sample using the finger-prick method, which takes 5 minutes.

The sample will need to be sent on the day of the test. If your results come back out of range, you can have a free consultation with a physician.

Pros

  • The tests are approved by the FDA.
  • The results are ready in a few days.
  • It has a free consultation with a physician.

Cons

  • It Costs more than the tests from other companies.
  • There is no after-hours support available.
  • A1C testing is not available in New York.
Shop now at myLAB Box

Best for quick results

DTI Laboratories

  • Price: $49.95
  • Insurance coverage: none
  • Results: within 24 hours

The FDA has approved the test kits from the DTI Laboratories for over a decade. The company is known for its diabetes testing.

Diabetes education and counseling is offered by the DTI Laboratories. There are kits for testing the loss of sensation on your feet, as well as for diabetes care.

Delivery is usually 2 days from the time you pay. You will be assigned a password and a secured ID. Your test kit comes with a patient ID, a sample collection device, and a capillary device for testing your finger. Only one drop of blood is needed, and you can get a sample back in a few days.

The AccuBase A1C Home Test Kit is FDA-approved, unlike many other home test kits. The kit uses HPLC-IE, which is a testing method known for more accurate results. This is because it tests for abnormal hemoglobins that can interfere with A1C results.

Pros

  • Results are received within 24 hours.
  • It uses lab techniques.
  • It is FDA-approved and certified by the CLIA.

Cons

  • The website can be hard to navigate.
  • There is no follow-up for results that are out of range.
  • There is no medical professional who can interpret your results.
Shop now at DTI Laboratories

Best price for at-home testing

Home Access

  • Price: $40
  • Insurance coverage: none
  • Results: varies

Home Access was founded in 1996 in Illinois.

The A1C tests are FDA-cleared and meet the standards set by the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program.

You will need to dry the sample for 15 minutes before mailing it back. A video demonstration of how to perform the test is provided by the company.

There are no online results available. You need to call the number between 6 and 7. Time to get your results.

“There is no clear time frame for what to expect from the results, which are available within days. It is important to share the results with your healthcare professional as soon as possible because there isn’t any support for out-of-range results.”

Pros

  • It’s Cost-effective.
  • The tests are FDA approved.
  • It is in line with the standards of the Next Generation Sequencing Program.

Cons

  • There is no follow-up from healthcare professionals for results that are out of range.
  • You need to call a number to get the results.
  • There is no information on the time taken to get to the scene.
Shop now at Home Access

Best home monitor

PTS Diagnostics A1CNow Self Check

  • Price: $74.99
  • Insurance coverage: none
  • Results: 5 minutes

You can use the A1CNow Self Check monitor to check your A1C levels.

You need to collect a finger-prick blood sample to perform the test. You can view your results in 5 minutes. The meter has four test strips.

The A1CNow Self Check is appropriate for people with diabetes who must check their A1C levels quarterly. It is also an option for people who want to prevent or manage diabetes. The portable device is portable and easy to store at room temperature.

Before purchasing this device, you should check the expiration date.

Pros

  • It is user-friendly.
  • It is certified as a NGSP-certified.
  • Results are back in 5 minutes.

Cons

  • There are possible test errors.
  • “You can’t buy test strips on their own.”
Shop now at Test Medical Symptoms at Home

Test Price Insurance coverage Results
LetsGetChecked $79 for Diabetes Test,
$89 for Diabetes and Heart Test		 accepts FSA and HSA cards;
doesn’t take insurance		 2–5 days
Everlywell $49, or $24.99 with membership accepts FSA and HSA cards;
doesn’t take insurance		 within 5 days
Verisana $49 doesn’t take insurance within 3 weeks
Cerascreen $49 doesn’t take insurance within 1 week
Pixel by Labcorp $39 for Diabetes Risk (HbA1c) Test accepts FSA and HSA cards;
doesn’t take insurance		 varies
myLAB Box $74 none 1–5 days
DTI Laboratories $49.95 none within 24 hours
Home Access $40 none varies
PTS Diagnostics A1CNow Self Check $74.99 none 5 minutes

If your A1C levels are outside your target range or you want to discuss your results, make an appointment to talk with a doctor.

A1C levels may be a sign of an underlying condition. This can cause headaches, fatigue, and frequent thirst and urination.

Your doctor can change your treatment plan.

If you have diabetes and are meeting your treatment goals, see your doctor every 6 months. If it’s difficult to meet your treatment goals, visit your doctor every 3 months.

If you do that, you should see a doctor.

  • Do you have diabetes?
  • Have a high chance of developing diabetes.
  • Any new health conditions should be reported.
  • Existing health concerns can get worse.

Are A1C test kits accurate?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), some things can skew results, and your home reading should never be used to diagnose diabetes.

Overall, some A1C test kits have been demonstrated to be as accurate as laboratory testing.

Can you get a false A1C reading?

It is possible to have a false A1C reading.

Certain conditions, such as hemolytic anemia or splenomegaly, can cause a false low reading. Other factors, such as older age or obesity, can elevate your A1C levels, too — even if you don’t have diabetes.

What are the symptoms of a high A1C?

If you have a high A1C, it means your treatment is not managing your diabetes well and you have too high of a blood sugar.

You might experience some symptoms.

  • Increased thirst.
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • The mouth is dry.
  • The breath was very thin.
  • frequent urination
  • The smell on your breath is fruity.

It is important to use your A1C as part of your diabetes monitoring, but it does not replace your daily blood sugar checks.

There are instances when your A1C might not be accurate. Make sure you inform your doctor of your results and any symptoms you may be having.