Testing for diabetes – home test or at the doctor’s?

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a home diabetes test and a test performed by a doctor? In this article, we would like to explain the differences between the various types of tests to help you decide which test is right for you.

Table of Contents

• What is diabetes?
• What is the diabetes test for home use?
• What exactly is a medical diabetes test?
• What is the oral glucose tolerance test and what does it measure?
• How much does a diabetes test at the general practitioner’s office cost?
• Which diabetes test is right for me?

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar (glucose) becomes too high because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use insulin effectively. Insulin helps glucose move from the bloodstream into cells for energy. Without enough effective insulin, glucose builds up in the blood.

Common types of diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes: The body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough. It is the most common type.
• Prediabetes: Blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough for a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
• Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
• Gestational diabetes: Develops during pregnancy and usually resolves afterward, but increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later.

Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2023

What is the diabetes test for home use?

The Homed-IQ Blood Sugar Test (HbA1c) is a home blood test that measures your HbA1c level, which reflects your average blood sugar over the past 3 months.

You collect the blood sample yourself at home using the materials provided in the test kit. First, activate your test online and follow the included instructions. Use the lancet to prick your finger and place a few drops of blood onto the supplied dry blood spot card. Once the sample is collected, package it in the protective transport bag and send it to the ISO-certified laboratory using the prepaid return label. The laboratory analyzes your HbA1c level, and you are notified by email when your sample arrives and again when your results are ready to view online.

What exactly is a medical diabetes test?

Several blood tests can be used to check for diabetes:

• Fasting blood glucose test: Measures blood sugar after fasting for at least eight hours.
• Random blood glucose test: Measures blood sugar at any time, without fasting.
• HbA1c test: Measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months.
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Measures how the body processes glucose and is commonly used to test for gestational diabetes.

Healthcare providers may use more than one test to confirm a diabetes diagnosis. According to the NHG guideline, the fasting blood sugar test (fasting plasma glucose) is the preferred glucose measurement for detecting and diagnosing diabetes mellitus. HbA1c should not be used to screen for or diagnose diabetes mellitus, it is mainly used after diagnosis to monitor glycaemic control and guide treatment.

Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2023;  NHG, 2026

What is the oral glucose tolerance test and what does it measure?

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is a test that measures how well your body processes glucose over time. It is commonly used to diagnose gestational diabetes. Before the test, you need to fast for several hours. A first blood sample is taken to measure your fasting blood glucose level.

You then drink a sweet glucose solution, after which additional blood samples are taken at specific intervals. In the three-hour test described here, blood is drawn after one, two and three hours. These measurements show how quickly your body is able to remove glucose from the bloodstream after consuming a large amount of sugar.

If blood glucose levels remain elevated at several measurement points, this can indicate that the body is not processing glucose effectively. During pregnancy, these results can be used to diagnose gestational diabetes.

Source: Cleveland Clinic, 2022

How much does a diabetes test at the general practitioner’s office cost?

In Germany, blood glucose testing is generally covered by statutory health insurance when your doctor considers it medically necessary. Blood sugar testing is also included in certain preventive health check-ups. If you request additional testing without a medical indication, you may have to pay for it yourself, and prices can vary between practices.

In the Netherlands, a visit to your GP is covered by basic health insurance and does not count towards your deductible. However, laboratory blood tests ordered by your GP may fall under the mandatory deductible, which is €385 in 2026. The exact cost of the blood test depends on the laboratory and your health insurer.

Source: Federal Ministry of Health, 2021; Rijksoverheid, n.d.

Which diabetes test is right for me?

The most suitable test depends on what you want to measure. According to the NHG guideline, the fasting blood sugar test (fasting plasma glucose) is the preferred glucose measurement for detecting and diagnosing diabetes mellitus. “Fasting” means that the patient has had no caloric intake for at least 8 hours. Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed with 2 fasting plasma glucose values ≥ 7.0 mmol/L on 2 different days. It can also be diagnosed with 1 fasting value ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or a random value ≥ 11.1 mmol/L when symptoms of hyperglycaemia are present. Impaired fasting glucose or glucose tolerance indicates increased diabetes and cardiovascular risk; repeat fasting laboratory glucose after 3 months and then annually if diabetes is not diagnosed. 

An HbA1c test measures your average blood sugar over the past two to three months and is mainly useful for monitoring blood sugar over time. According to the NHG, HbA1c should not be used on its own to diagnose diabetes. An OGTT is mainly used for diagnosing gestational diabetes and is not routinely used for type 2 diabetes.

Like all other home tests, these tests are intended for assessing your health but are not suitable for self-diagnosis and do not replace a doctor’s visit.

Source: NHG, 2026