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Diabetes Blood Test Panel: HbA1c, Insulin & Glucose Monitoring

One place to track blood sugar, insulin function, and the kidney and heart markers that move alongside them.

Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission when you purchase lab tests through links on this site, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

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Individual tests from $4.95 and bundled Diabetes Health panels from $133.95 (promotional pricing at time of writing).

At a glance

The Diabetes Insight collection measures the core markers of blood sugar control, hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and insulin, alongside the kidney, lipid, and inflammation markers commonly reviewed with them. It is built for adults who want to screen for markers associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, or to track how well an existing management plan is working. Options range from a single HbA1c test to comprehensive Diabetes Health panels covering up to 70 biomarkers.

Best suited for

  • Adults with risk factors for type 2 diabetes, family history, elevated weight, or a sedentary routine, who want a data-driven baseline
  • People managing diabetes or prediabetes who want to track A1c, kidney, and lipid trends between doctor visits
  • Anyone experiencing symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, or unexplained fatigue who wants results to review with a physician
  • Health-conscious adults monitoring insulin sensitivity and metabolic health as part of a longevity or fitness plan

What's included

DH-3 Diabetes Health Panel (7 tests, 66 biomarkers)

DH-4 Diabetes Health Panel (8 tests, 70 biomarkers)

DH-3 Diabetes Health Plus Panel (6 tests, 34 biomarkers)

DH-4 Diabetes Health Plus Panel (9 tests, 44 biomarkers)

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Test

Insulin Test (Fasting)

Glucose Test (Fasting)

Glucose Tolerance Test, 2 Specimens, 75g

Insulin Response to Glucose Test, 2 Specimens

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP)

C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test

Albumin Random Urine Test with Creatinine (uACR)

Electrolyte Panel Test

Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy Total Test

Deep-dive the key markers: Fasting Glucose, HbA1c, Fasting Insulin, LDL-C, HDL-C, Triglycerides, Vitamin D, eGFR, ALT

Key biomarker ranges

Commonly used adult reference ranges for markers this panel measures, labs vary, so always interpret results against your lab's stated ranges and with your doctor.

Fasting Glucose (mg/dL)

Commonly used reference ranges place fasting glucose at 70–99 mg/dL; results vary with sleep, stress, and recent illness, and labs differ slightly.

Fasting Glucose reference ranges (mg/dL)
ZoneRange
Low50–70 mg/dL
Optimal70–100 mg/dL
Prediabetic range100–126 mg/dL
Diabetic range126–160 mg/dL
Hemoglobin A1c (%)

Commonly used reference ranges place HbA1c below 5.7%; conditions affecting red blood cells can skew results, so labs and clinicians interpret in context.

Hemoglobin A1c reference ranges (%)
ZoneRange
Optimal4–5.7 %
Prediabetic range5.7–6.5 %
Diabetic range6.5–10 %
Fasting Insulin (µIU/mL)

Commonly used reference ranges accept up to ~25 µIU/mL, but many clinicians view single-digit fasting insulin as the more informative target; assays vary by lab.

Fasting Insulin reference ranges (µIU/mL)
ZoneRange
Low0–2 µIU/mL
Optimal2–10 µIU/mL
Above optimal10–25 µIU/mL
High25–30 µIU/mL

The importance of testing

Hemoglobin A1c reflects your average blood glucose over the past two to three months, while fasting glucose and insulin capture a same-day snapshot of how your body is handling sugar right now. Together, these markers show how efficiently glucose is processed and how hard your pancreas is working to keep it in range, patterns associated with prediabetes, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes that are worth tracking over time.

The bundled Diabetes Health panels (DH-3 and DH-4) widen the lens. A comprehensive metabolic panel adds kidney and liver markers such as eGFR, creatinine, and ALT; a lipid panel covers cholesterol and triglycerides; C-reactive protein tracks inflammation; and a random urine microalbumin with creatinine test flags early kidney markers. Because blood sugar, cardiovascular, and kidney health are closely linked, reviewing these numbers together gives you and your doctor a fuller metabolic picture than glucose alone.

The DH-4 versions add a two-specimen glucose tolerance test and an insulin response to glucose test, which measure how your glucose and insulin levels behave after a standardized 75-gram glucose drink. These dynamic tests can surface early shifts in insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function that a single fasting draw may miss.

The most useful approach is trend-based: establish a baseline, retest at regular intervals, and bring any flagged or changing results to your physician to discuss nutrition, activity, sleep, and medication decisions. Lab testing informs those conversations, it does not replace medical care.

Part of our complete guide to Diabetes & Blood Sugar Lab Tests — browse every panel and biomarker guide in this hub.

Promo code

ULTA7E74

Use promo code ULTA7E74 at checkout, current promotion; confirm final pricing and discount on the partner page.

Ready to get your numbers? Order online, visit a nearby draw site, and receive private results to review with your doctor.

Order Now

Frequently asked questions

What does the Diabetes Insight testing measure?

It measures the key markers of blood sugar control, hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and insulin, plus, in the larger Diabetes Health panels, supporting markers like kidney function (eGFR, urine microalbumin with creatinine), a full lipid panel, and C-reactive protein. Together these show how your body processes glucose, how well insulin is working, and how related organ systems are trending.

What is the difference between the DH-3 and DH-4 Diabetes Health panels?

The DH-4 panel includes everything in the DH-3 plus a two-specimen glucose tolerance test and an insulin response to glucose test. Those dynamic tests measure how your glucose and insulin behave after a 75-gram glucose drink, which can reveal early changes in insulin sensitivity that a single fasting draw may not show. The DH-3 covers CRP, CBC, CMP, HbA1c, insulin, a lipid panel, and urine microalbumin with creatinine.

Can I order these diabetes lab tests without a doctor's visit?

Yes, these panels are sold direct-to-consumer, so you can order online through the partner page and visit a local lab location without scheduling a doctor's appointment first. Results are delivered to you, and any flagged values are worth reviewing with your physician.

Is direct-to-consumer diabetes testing available in every US state?

No, direct-to-consumer lab testing is restricted or prohibited in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, so residents of those states may be blocked at the partner's checkout. If you live elsewhere in the US, you can typically order online and test at a nearby draw location.

How often should I retest HbA1c and related markers?

HbA1c reflects roughly two to three months of average blood glucose, so retesting more often than quarterly rarely adds new information. Many people establish a baseline and retest every three to six months to watch trends; your doctor can recommend the right cadence for your situation.

Do I need to fast before these tests?

Fasting is typically required for the fasting glucose, insulin, glucose tolerance, and lipid components, usually 8 to 12 hours with water permitted. Confirm the specific preparation instructions provided by the lab when you order, since requirements vary by test.

References

  1. [1] Hidden Risks behind Normal Fasting Glucose: Is It Significant? — Diabetes & Metabolism Journal (Korean Diabetes Association, via PMC)
  2. [2] Good to Know: Factors Affecting Blood Glucose — Clinical Diabetes, American Diabetes Association (via PMC)
  3. [3] Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  4. [4] Interpreting A1C: Principles of the A1C Assay — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  5. [5] Interpreting A1C: Diabetes and Hemoglobin Variants — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  6. [6] The A1C Test & Diabetes — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  7. [7] What Is Diabetes? — National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
  8. [8] Surrogate markers of insulin resistance: A review — World Journal of Diabetes (via PMC)
  9. [9] Insulin Assay Standardization: Leading to Measures of Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion for Practical Clinical Care — Diabetes Care, American Diabetes Association (via PMC)
  10. [10] LDL: The 'Bad' Cholesterol — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  11. [11] Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel — European Heart Journal
  12. [12] Familial Hypercholesterolemia — GeneReviews, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  13. [13] Hypercholesterolemia — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  14. [14] Low HDL Cholesterol — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  15. [15] HPS2-THRIVE, AIM-HIGH and dal-OUTCOMES: HDL-cholesterol under attack — Global Cardiology Science & Practice
  16. [16] Metabolic syndrome — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  17. [17] Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  18. [18] Triglycerides — MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine, NIH)
  19. [19] Hypertriglyceridemia — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH/NLM)
  20. [20] High Blood Triglycerides — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH)
  21. [21] Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
  22. [22] Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline — Endocrine Society (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism)
  23. [23] Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
  24. [24] Physiology, Glomerular Filtration Rate — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  25. [25] Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) — National Kidney Foundation
  26. [26] What Is Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults? — NIDDK (NIH)
  27. [27] Is It Time for a Requiem for Creatine Supplementation-Induced Kidney Failure? A Narrative Review — Nutrients
  28. [28] Estimated GFR (eGFR) Test: Kidney Function Levels, Stages, and What to Do Next — National Kidney Foundation
  29. [29] Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Test — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)
  30. [30] Definition & Facts of NAFLD & NASH — NIDDK (NIH)
  31. [32] Liver Function Tests — StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (NIH)

Reviewed by

Jason August

Jason August

Founder & Editorial Lead

Jason August is the founder of Metabolic Markers and its parent company, Advancing Development. He has spent his career building and scaling real-world ventures, including as a founding team member at Build-A-Bear Workshop during its growth from startup to global public company, and since then across capital, real estate, adaptive reuse, and hospitality. He founded Metabolic Markers to make blood-biomarker testing easier to understand and access, and oversees the site’s content and editorial accuracy. Jason is not a medical professional; all content on this site is educational, reviewed for accuracy, and never a substitute for advice from a licensed physician.

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