A diabetes test kit is used to monitor your blood glucose levels. It is a ‘finger pin prick’ blood test that can be taken at home, which can be especially useful if you need to conveniently check how well your diabetes treatment is working.

The results of a glucose or blood sugar level test (HbA1c) will show if your average levels are at, above, or below the normal range over the last 4 to 6 weeks. For example, low glucose levels can cause a condition known as hypoglycaemia which could cause you to lose consciousness if not treated. High blood glucose levels can suggest a condition known as diabetes which could also affect your eyes, nerves, blood vessels, and heart.

Both high or low blood sugar results can be dangerous and if you get one of these results you’ll need to visit your doctor for further advice. In either case, early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent damage to your body.

The amount of glucose in your blood at any time is controlled by a hormone called insulin. This hormone is produced by an organ near your stomach known as the pancreas.

Whenever you eat, glucose enters your bloodstream and the pancreas releases insulin. This helps move the glucose from your blood into your cells where it can be broken down to release energy.

Diabetes happens when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to move glucose into the cells, or when the insulin produced doesn’t work properly, so high levels of glucose remain in your blood. If your blood glucose levels are consistently high, you need to seek medical advice to check if you have diabetes.

The two main types of diabetes are type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with type 2 diabetes being more common.

If you get the following symptoms, consider getting your blood glucose levels tested:

• feeling very thirsty often
• urinating more frequently than usual, especially at night
• feeling easily tired
• unexplained weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
• cuts or wounds that heal slowly
• blurred vision

Usually, your blood glucose levels stay within normal limits throughout the day, but it’s slightly low in the mornings and slightly raised after meals. For people with diabetes, the blood glucose levels are often above normal limits throughout the day, unless they are using treatment.

You can order a diabetes test kit online from Superdrug Online Doctor through the following steps:

• Fill out a short online assessment form
• Place an order for a diabetes test kit
• It can then be posted to your preferred address or you can collect it in any Superdrug store instead

Using the Superdrug Online Doctor test kit, you can take the sample at any time of day whether you have just eaten or not.

Your test kit includes three lancets and a collection tube. To use your test kit, follow these instructions:

• Wash your hands with warm, soapy water. You might find it more difficult to do the test if your hands are cold
• Dry your hands thoroughly
• Use one of the swabs included in the kit to clean the fingertip that you would like to use. We recommend that you use the middle or ring finger of your non-dominant hand (not the one you write with). Wait until the finger feels dry
• Twist and remove the purple sticks from one lancet, place it in the middle of your fingertip, and press the purple button at the end
• A small drop of blood should start to form on your fingertip. Don’t worry if this doesn’t work the first time as there are three lancets included with your kit
• Use a clean tissue to wipe the first drop of blood away, then angle your finger downwards and massage the sides of your fingertip to form another drop of blood
• Use your other hand to squeeze the fingertip to drop the blood sample into the collection tube. You should fill the tube to the upper line. If you can’t get enough blood to fill the tube, use the additional lancets on another finger and repeat the steps above
• Use the plaster included in the kit to cover your fingertip
• Put the lid on to the collection tube and twist the lid several times to shut tightly
• Place your details on the sticky label. This is an important step as our partner lab won’t be able to do your test otherwise. Place the labelled collection tube into the protective wallet, and the wallet into the prepaid envelope
• You can send the sample to our lab and your results will be ready, in your account, after 2-3 days, along with advice from a Superdrug doctor

When your results are ready, your online doctor also send you further advice.

If your blood glucose level is high but not high enough to be given a diagnosis of diabetes, this is called a ‘pre-diabetes’ stage and means you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You will be advised to see your GP who will suggest you regularly test your average blood glucose levels and make some lifestyle changes with food and exercise to help improve your test results.

If your average blood glucose is high enough for a diabetes diagnosis, and you already have some of the symptoms, your Superdrug doctor will advise you to see your GP, or get more urgent help depending on your result, and start a management plan.

If you have started medication treatment with your GP, and you’ve used it for at least 6 months already and you’re happy with your treatment, you can reorder repeat diabetes treatment medication from Superdrug Online Doctor.