Diabetes Tests

The diabetes test below checks whether you are likely to have diabetes. If you would like to see tests that monitor your blood sugar levels once you know you have diabetes please see our Freestyle Blood Glucose Monitors or Accu-Chek Blood Glucose Monitors.

Home Diabetes Blood Test

Home Diabetes Blood Test The Betacheck Diabetes test checks the level of glucose in your blood.

In non-diabetics, the body produces insulin to reduce glucose levels in the blood. In diabetics this does not happen, and the tested glucose levels will remain high.

The American Diabetes Association recommends this type of test for the diagnosis of diabetes.

This test can be used in your own home, is easy to use and reliable.

High-risk individuals should test annually and if you are 45+ you should test every three years.

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£7.99 £6.00

2 x tests per pack

(Code: 1024)

Home Diabetes Urine Test

This home diabetes screening test is to detect the presence of glucose (sugar) in the urine.

If you have high levels of glucose in your blood you are likely to have glucose in your urine - both indicators of diabetes.

This home diabetes test is fast and simple to carry out in the privacy of your own home. Simply test a urine sample with a diagnostic strip and watch for colour change.

Remember if you receive a positive test result you should consult your Doctor for advice.

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£7.99

50 test strips per pack

(Code: 1006)

Ketone Test

The ketone test is an easy to use, accurate test for checking the presence of ketones in the urine. It can be used at home and gives accurate results in minutes.

The ketone test is ideal for anyone wanting to monitor diets (especially the Atkins diet) or with Diabetes.

Ketones are chemicals produced in the liver as the body breaks down fat, because it can't use sugar. This occurs because of a lack of insulin (diabetes) or dieting, especially the atkins diet, because the body is not getting enough carbohydrates.

Too many ketones in the blood leads to 'Ketoacidosis' a potentially fatal condition.

£5.75

1x 50 strips per pack

(Code: 2040)

When should I use the ketones test?

You should test for ketones if you are unwell with any of the following conditions.
- fever
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- abdominal pain
- greatly increased thirst or volume of urine
- very high blood sugars
- Pregnancy
- Any physical or emotional stress
- If your breath smells sweet or fruity

What do I do if I get a positive ketone test result?

If the test result shows a trace of ketones or small amount of ketones
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid exercise
- Test your blood glucose and urine for ketones every 4 hours,particularly if blood sugars higher than 15 mmol/l
- If no improvement, discuss with your nurse or on-call doctor
- If the result shows a large amount of ketones inform your doctor
- Drink a glass of water every 30-60 minutes
- If your blood sugars are high and you have short-acting insulin, consider taking an additional dose of insulin
- If you continue to vomit and your urinary ketones are strongly positive contact your doctor or seek hospital admission as a matter of urgency.

Please note this advice is a not a substitute for qualifed medical advice. You should consult your GP of our online doctor service if you have any questions.

Diabetes the Complete Guide

Diabetes the Complete Guide The essential guide to diabetes recommended by Diabetes UK

Confronting a diagnosis of diabetes can be a frightening, confusing and distressing experience. This authoritative, comprehensive guide shows how life with diabetes can be very fulfilling. Clear, readable and reassuring, it answers all the key questions:

What is diabetes?
What treatment will I have?
How will I feel?
How will it affect my diet?

See all our diabetes tests and glucose monitors

£12.99

1 per pack

(Code: 1056)

The PCOS Protection Plan: How to Cut Your Increased Risk Of Diabetes

The PCOS Protection Plan: How to Cut Your Increased Risk Of Diabetes How to Cut Your Increased Risk of Diabetes, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure and Obesity
ISBN: 1401905390

SPECIAL OFFER - REDUCED PRICE.

£14.99 £12.99

1 per pack

(Code: 1073)

BetaChek Diabetes Test Instructions

Important!

This test has a timing step that must be followed exactly to ensure a correct result. Read through all the steps BEFORE attempting to test.

When to test:

Test in the morning BEFORE eating. Ensure you have not eaten for at least 12 hours (you may drink water only).

You need:

Clean white tissue. A timer or watch with second hand ready.

Test Procedure:

Wash hands in warm water and dry thoroughly. This removes any traces of glucose from your fingers.

1. Select fingertip test site to obtain drop of blood. Twist off protective lancet cap.
WARNING: Do not use if protective cap has been previously removed from lancet.

2. Hold the lancet against the fingertip test site and press to release.

3. Gently squeeze your finger until you have a large hanging drop of blood. Get ready to start timing.

4. Place a drop of blood onto the test pads and IMMEDIATELY START TIMING!

5. Ensure both test pads are fully covered. Do not smear or dab blood thinly.

6. Wipe the blood off using a folded tissue after exactly 30 seconds.

7. After a further 30 seconds read your result by matching the test zone against the colour chart on the label.

7. If the pink or the blue zone is darker than 6mmol/L1 then your result is in a range where you should see your doctor for a second laboratory based fasting blood glucose test.

About the test:

The test is known as a fasting blood glucose test (FBG). The American Diabetes Association. Expert Committee for the diagnosis of diabetes recommends this type of test.

Fasting stimulates the release of the hormone glucagon, which in turn raises glucose levels. In non-diabetic people, the body will produce insulin to counteract the rise in glucose levels. In diabetics this does not happen, and the tested glucose levels will remain high.

High-risk individuals should test annually & 45+ every three years

Testing should be conducted annually by individuals who are any of the following: obese; have a first-degree relative with diabetes; are members of a high-risk ethnic population (Indian, African, Hispanic, Native American, Aboriginal, Pacific-Islander, Asian); have delivered a baby weighing more than 9 pounds; have had gestational diabetes; have high blood pressure; have HDL cholesterol levels of less than 1mmol/ L and triglyceride levels of more than 2mmol/L; or who, on previous testing had impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. All adults older than 45 years of age should test for diabetes every three years.