Blood Test · Diabetes

HbA1c Blood Test in Singapore

Nurse taking a blood sample from a seated male patient for an HbA1c test at a Singapore clinic
  • No Fasting Needed
  • 3-Month Average
  • Screening & Monitoring
  • Near MRT Stations

The HbA1c test measures your average blood sugar over the past two to three months, not a single moment. It is the standard test for screening, diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, needs no fasting, and comes with a doctor to explain what your number means.

Test Name HbA1c — glycated haemoglobin (also called A1c)
Sample Single blood draw — no fasting, any time of day
Measures Average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months
Price $27.25 NETT · consultation from $49.05
Turnaround 1 to 2 working days, delivered securely by email. WhatsApp 8095 3275
Where
Jurong (Dr Joel) — CPF Jurong Building, Jurong East MRT
Tanjong Pagar — Anson House, Tanjong Pagar MRT
Orchard — Camden Medical Centre, Orchard MRT
Novena — Royal Square Medical Centre, Novena MRT
At Home Prefer not to travel? A nurse can come to you for the blood draw
Book Your Appointment Today

Medically Reviewed By: Dr Joel Foo MBBS (Singapore), MRCS (Ed), DWD (CAW), GDFM Men's Health Doctor & Family Physician

Last updated: Aug 01, 2026

What Is an HbA1c Test?

Diabetes is one of Singapore's biggest public-health challenges. Singaporean men have among the highest lifetime risks of type 2 diabetes in the developed world — around 6 in 10 (about 60%), the highest of 23 high-income jurisdictions in a 2022 study. The Ministry of Health reports over 400,000 Singaporeans already live with the condition, projected to reach one million by 2050 if current trends continue. Many people have raised blood sugar for years before any symptoms appear — which is exactly why a simple screening test matters.

HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin, sometimes written A1c) is a blood test that measures your average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months. Glucose circulating in your blood attaches to haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. The higher your average blood sugar, the more haemoglobin becomes glycated — and because red blood cells live for around three months, HbA1c gives a reliable picture of your longer-term blood sugar, not just a single moment.

This is what makes HbA1c so useful. Unlike a finger-prick or a fasting glucose reading — both of which are snapshots that swing with your last meal, stress or sleep — HbA1c smooths out the day-to-day noise. It needs no fasting, can be taken at any time of day, and is used for three things: screening people for diabetes, helping to diagnose it, and monitoring how well diabetes is being controlled over time.

Why HbA1c Matters Beyond Diabetes

A raised HbA1c is not only about diabetes — it is also a marker of cardiovascular risk. Persistently high blood sugar damages the lining of blood vessels and accelerates the furring-up of arteries (atherosclerosis), which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. That is why HbA1c is a useful part of a broader heart-health picture alongside blood pressure, cholesterol and lifestyle: knowing your number helps your doctor judge how aggressively to manage your other risk factors. Bringing a high HbA1c down protects not just against diabetes complications like nerve, kidney and eye damage, but against vascular disease too.

Nurse drawing a blood sample from a patient's arm for an HbA1c test at a Singapore clinic

Who Should Have an HbA1c Test?

An HbA1c test is worth considering if you fall into any of the following groups:

  • Routine health screening — HbA1c is a Singapore-recommended screening test for diabetes from age 40 onwards, or earlier if you carry risk factors.
  • Higher diabetes risk — a family history of diabetes, being overweight (especially around the waist), high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a sedentary lifestyle, or a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) all raise your risk. People of Malay and Indian ethnicity in Singapore have a higher prevalence of diabetes and may benefit from earlier screening.
  • Pre-diabetes follow-up — if a previous test placed you in the raised range, periodic HbA1c helps track whether lifestyle changes are working or whether you are progressing towards diabetes.
  • Known diabetes — if you already have diabetes, HbA1c is the main marker used to check whether your treatment and lifestyle are keeping blood sugar in a healthy range.
  • Suggestive symptoms — excessive thirst, frequent urination (especially at night), unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness, blurred vision, or slow-healing wounds all warrant testing.
  • Before certain treatments or procedures — poorly controlled blood sugar affects healing and surgical risk, so HbA1c is sometimes checked as part of pre-operative or pre-treatment assessment.

Not sure whether you need it, or whether HbA1c alone is the right test for your situation? WhatsApp us and our team will advise before you book.

Understanding Your HbA1c Result

HbA1c is reported as a percentage (%), and Singapore laboratories usually also give the IFCC unit (mmol/mol). Singapore uses HbA1c as an initial screening test: the bands below follow MOH Circular 08/2019, which endorsed HbA1c as an alternative screening test for diabetes from March 2019. Your doctor will always read your number in context — the same value can mean different things depending on your age, symptoms, pregnancy status and other conditions.

HbA1c (screening) Also shown as What it means
6.0% and below 42 mmol/mol and below Low probability of diabetes — if you have no symptoms, maintain a healthy lifestyle and re-screen in about 3 years
6.1% – 6.9% 43 – 52 mmol/mol Intermediate — a fasting plasma glucose or oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is done to confirm whether this is normal, pre-diabetes or diabetes
7.0% and above 53 mmol/mol and above High probability of diabetes — usually no further test is needed and it is managed accordingly

An important point: a screening HbA1c in the 6.1% to 6.9% band is not a diagnosis on its own — it is confirmed with a fasting glucose or OGTT before diabetes or pre-diabetes is diagnosed.

How this compares internationally

International, WHO-aligned criteria classify HbA1c a little differently: below 5.7% (below 39 mmol/mol) is normal, 5.7% to 6.4% (39 to 46 mmol/mol) is pre-diabetes, and 6.5% or above (48 mmol/mol or above) is used as a diagnostic threshold for diabetes. Singapore's screening pathway instead uses the 6.1% and 7.0% thresholds above, paired with confirmatory glucose testing. This is why you may see a 6.5% figure quoted elsewhere — your doctor will explain which framework applies to your result.

If you already have diabetes

For people living with diabetes, HbA1c is used as a target rather than a diagnostic cut-off. A commonly used goal is around 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) or below, but the right target is individualised — a younger person may aim lower, while an older person or someone prone to low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) may have a more relaxed target set by their doctor. What matters most is the trend over time and how it fits with the rest of your health.

HbA1c vs Fasting Blood Glucose

These two tests are often confused, and patients frequently ask which one they need. They measure different things and are best thought of as complementary:

  • Fasting blood glucose is a snapshot — your blood sugar at one moment, after an 8-hour fast. It is affected by what and when you last ate, illness, stress and sleep.
  • HbA1c is an average — your typical blood sugar over 2 to 3 months, needing no fasting. It smooths out short-term swings and reflects your longer-term control.

For convenient screening and for tracking long-term control, HbA1c is usually the more practical choice. Fasting glucose and the OGTT come into their own when confirming a new diagnosis, and in situations where HbA1c can mislead — for example during pregnancy, or in people with certain blood conditions (see below). In many health screening packages both are included, giving your doctor a fuller picture from a single visit.

How Often Should You Test?

The right interval depends on your situation:

  • No diabetes, screening only — commonly as part of a periodic health screening, with the interval guided by your age and risk factors.
  • Pre-diabetes — typically once or twice a year, to see whether lifestyle changes are working and to catch any progression early.
  • Diabetes, treatment being adjusted — roughly every 3 months.
  • Diabetes, stable and at target — roughly every 6 months.

Why 3 months, and not sooner? Because HbA1c reflects the roughly three-month lifespan of a red blood cell, testing more frequently rarely reveals anything new — a change you make today takes about 3 months to be fully reflected in the number. This is also why improvements are best judged over that window rather than week to week.

Know your number — no fasting, quick draw.

An HbA1c takes minutes and needs no preparation. Book it on its own, or fold it into a broader health screening. Same-day appointments available across our four clinics, subject to slots — or have the blood draw done at your home.

Book Your Appointment Today

HbA1c Test Price in Singapore

HbA1c can be booked on its own or alongside the other blood-sugar tests below — and it is already included in most of our broader health screening packages, which is often more cost-effective if you want a fuller panel. Pricing for our diabetes and blood-sugar tests across the four clinics:

Test What it measures Price*
HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) Average blood sugar over 2–3 months — no fasting $27.25
Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) Blood sugar snapshot after an 8-hour fast $10.90
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) Blood sugar response after a glucose drink — confirmatory / gestational $27.25
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) FreeStyle Libre wearable sensor — tracks glucose in real time $27.25First sensor, first-time users
Screen for Life Subsidised national screening — subject to eligibility $0 – $5
[Optional] Home Blood Draw — We Come to You
For busy schedules, limited mobility, or anyone who would rather not sit in a waiting room.
 A nurse or phlebotomist comes to you for the blood draw — the same panel, taken at home instead of at a clinic $54.50 (per location, up to 5 pax)
Doctor consultation May be required so your doctor can confirm the test is appropriate and interpret your result — waived with a referral, when repeating a regular test, or when bundled in a health screening package From $49.05

* Prices are NETT and inclusive of GST. HbA1c done for chronic disease management under the CDMP, or as part of Screen for Life, may have MediSave or subsidy eligibility for eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents — check with our team before your visit.

Last updated: Aug 01, 2026. While every effort is made to keep pricing information up to date, please WhatsApp 8095 3275 to confirm the latest rates.

How to Lower a High HbA1c

Because HbA1c is an average over 2 to 3 months, lowering it means improving blood sugar control steadily over weeks rather than chasing a single good day. Measures with good evidence behind them include:

  • Cut refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks — these cause the sharpest blood sugar spikes. Swapping white rice and white bread for wholegrain options and reducing sweetened beverages makes a measurable difference.
  • Add fibre and wholegrains — vegetables, legumes and wholegrains slow glucose absorption and improve control.
  • Move regularly — a combination of aerobic activity (brisk walking, cycling, swimming) and resistance training improves how your body uses insulin.
  • Lose excess weight — where relevant, even a modest reduction in body weight can meaningfully lower HbA1c.
  • Sleep well and stop smoking — poor sleep and smoking both worsen blood sugar control.

Where lifestyle change alone is not enough to reach your target, your doctor may discuss medication options suited to your situation. Any change takes about 3 months to show fully on your next HbA1c — so give improvements time before judging them.

Can an HbA1c result be inaccurate?

HbA1c is generally reliable, but because it depends on red blood cells, anything that changes red-cell lifespan can distort it. Iron-deficiency anaemia, and vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, can push it falsely high; recent blood loss, a recent transfusion, haemolytic anaemia, pregnancy, chronic kidney or liver disease, and inherited haemoglobin variants such as thalassaemia traits — the most common genetic blood disorder locally, affecting about 4% of the population — can make it read falsely low or simply unreliable. MOH advises against using HbA1c to screen for diabetes when these conditions are present. In such situations your doctor may rely on fasting glucose, an OGTT or blood-sugar self-monitoring instead. If a result does not fit your clinical picture, it is repeated or cross-checked with another test rather than taken at face value.

The ATA Medical team with Dr Joel Foo at the Tanjong Pagar clinic, Singapore
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How Do I Book an HbA1c Test?

Fill in the form below, or WhatsApp us on 8095 3275.

FAQ

HbA1c Test: Common Questions

What patients in Singapore most often ask about HbA1c testing.

What is an HbA1c test and what does it measure?

HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin, sometimes written A1c) is a blood test that measures your average blood glucose over the previous 2 to 3 months. Glucose in the blood attaches to haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells — the more glucose over time, the more haemoglobin becomes glycated. Because red blood cells live for around three months, HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar over that period, rather than a single snapshot like a finger-prick or fasting reading. It is used to screen for diabetes, to help diagnose it, and to monitor how well diabetes is being controlled.

Do I need to fast before an HbA1c test?

No. HbA1c does not require fasting and can be taken at any time of day, whether or not you have eaten. This is one of its practical advantages over a fasting blood glucose test, which needs an 8-hour fast. You can eat, drink and take your usual medications as normal. If your doctor is also checking a fasting glucose or a full lipid profile at the same visit, fasting may still be advised for those specific tests — let us know what you are having done.

What is a normal HbA1c range in Singapore?

Singapore uses HbA1c as an initial screening test with these bands (MOH Circular 08/2019): 6.0% and below (42 mmol/mol and below) means a low probability of diabetes; 6.1% to 6.9% (43–52 mmol/mol) is an intermediate result confirmed with a fasting glucose or OGTT; and 7.0% and above (53 mmol/mol and above) indicates a high probability of diabetes. Internationally, WHO-aligned criteria label below 5.7% as normal, 5.7–6.4% as pre-diabetes and 6.5% and above as diabetes. For people already diagnosed with diabetes, a common treatment target is around 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) or below, individualised by your doctor.

What is the difference between HbA1c and a fasting blood glucose test?

A fasting blood glucose test measures your blood sugar at a single moment after an 8-hour fast — a snapshot. HbA1c measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months and needs no fasting. Because it averages out day-to-day swings, HbA1c is convenient and reliable for screening and for tracking long-term control. Fasting glucose and the OGTT remain useful for confirming a diagnosis and in situations where HbA1c can mislead, such as pregnancy or certain blood conditions. In practice the two complement each other, and your doctor may use both.

How often should I have an HbA1c test?

For general screening in adults without diabetes, HbA1c is commonly checked as part of a periodic health screening, guided by your age and risk factors. If you have diabetes, it is typically checked about every 3 months when treatment is being adjusted, and around every 6 months once stable and at target. The 3-month interval exists because HbA1c reflects roughly the lifespan of a red blood cell, so testing more often rarely adds new information. With pre-diabetes, testing once or twice a year is common. Your doctor will advise the interval that suits you.

Can an HbA1c test diagnose diabetes?

Yes, though Singapore's screening pathway differs slightly from the international one. Under MOH's framework, a screening HbA1c of 7.0% or above indicates a high probability of diabetes, while a result between 6.1% and 6.9% is confirmed with a fasting glucose or OGTT before diabetes or pre-diabetes is diagnosed. Internationally, an HbA1c of 6.5% or above is used as a diagnostic threshold, usually confirmed on a second test unless clear symptoms of high blood sugar (excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss) are present. HbA1c is not used to diagnose diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes), suspected rapid-onset type 1 diabetes, or certain blood disorders, where glucose testing is used instead.

How can I lower my HbA1c?

Because HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months, lowering it means improving control consistently over weeks. Evidence-based measures include reducing refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks, increasing dietary fibre and wholegrains, regular physical activity (both aerobic and resistance training), losing excess weight if relevant, adequate sleep and stopping smoking. Where lifestyle change alone is not enough, your doctor may discuss medication options. Any change takes about 3 months to be fully reflected in your next reading, so improvements are best judged over that interval rather than day to day.

Can an HbA1c result be inaccurate?

HbA1c is generally reliable, but because it depends on red blood cells, conditions that change red-cell lifespan can make it read falsely high or low. Iron-deficiency anaemia and vitamin B12 or folate deficiency can raise it; recent blood loss, haemolytic anaemia, recent transfusion, pregnancy, chronic kidney or liver disease, and inherited haemoglobin variants such as thalassaemia traits (the most common genetic blood disorder locally, affecting about 4% of the population) can lower it or make it unreliable. MOH advises against using HbA1c to screen for diabetes when these conditions are present; your doctor may rely on fasting glucose, an OGTT or self-monitoring instead. If a result does not fit the clinical picture, it is repeated or cross-checked.

How much does an HbA1c test cost in Singapore?

At our clinics the HbA1c test is $27.25 NETT, inclusive of GST. A doctor consultation (from $49.05 NETT) may be required for a specifically requested test, so your doctor can confirm it is appropriate and interpret your result; this is waived if you have a referral or are repeating a regular test. No separate consultation is needed when HbA1c is part of a health screening package, which can also be more cost-effective for a broader panel. HbA1c done for chronic disease management under the CDMP may have MediSave or subsidy eligibility for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. See the full pricing table above or WhatsApp 8095 3275 to confirm current rates.

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4 Clinics Across Singapore

Men's health services — screening, testosterone, erectile dysfunction, hair loss and weight management — are available at all four clinics. Dr Joel practises at Jurong; our other male physicians cover Tanjong Pagar (Anson House), Orchard and Novena. Medication from telemedicine consultations can be collected at any location.

Jurong

21 Jurong Gateway Rd, #02-08
CPF Jurong Building
Singapore 608546

Mon–Fri: 8:30am–12:30pm, 1:30pm–5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am–12:30pm
Sun & PH: Closed
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Tanjong Pagar

72 Anson Rd, #01-02
Anson House
Singapore 079911

Mon–Fri: 8:30am–12:30pm, 1:30pm–5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am–12:30pm
Sun & PH: Closed
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Orchard

1 Orchard Blvd, #05-09
Camden Medical Centre
Singapore 248649

Mon–Fri: 8:30am–12:30pm, 1:30pm–5:30pm
Sat: 8:30am–12:30pm
Sun & PH: Closed
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Novena

101 Irrawaddy Road, #09-01
Royal Square Medical Centre
Singapore 329565

Mon–Fri: 8:30am–12:30pm, 1:30pm–5:30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: Closed
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HbA1c Blood Test
in Singapore

WhatsApp us to book an HbA1c on its own or as part of a health screening — no fasting, a quick blood draw, and a doctor to explain what your number means and what to do next. Same-day appointments across our four clinics, subject to slots.

Book Your Appointment Today Call 6223 0682