What happens after diabetes screening?

Screening may use an HbA1c blood test or another blood glucose test. The reading is interpreted with your symptoms, medicines, medical history and previous results. A result suggesting diabetes may need confirmation, while a result suggesting increased risk can lead to prevention advice and planned monitoring. The clinician will clarify what the result means for you rather than relying on a single number in isolation.

Check how and when results will be shared, and attend any recommended follow-up. Keep a list of medicines and ask whether illness, steroids or other treatments could affect glucose readings. If diabetes is diagnosed or risk is raised, support may include food and activity planning, a diabetes education programme, home monitoring or medication management. Do not start, stop or change diabetes medicine without advice. Explore [Diabetes Screening](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/diabetes-screening/), [Diabetes Education Programme](/treatments/lifestyle-and-wellness/diabetes-education-programme/) and [Diabetes Medication Management](/treatments/medical-management/diabetes-medication-management/).

Contact a clinician promptly if you have worsening thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, repeated vomiting, marked drowsiness or difficulty staying awake. Seek emergency help for confusion, collapse, severe breathing difficulty or inability to keep fluids down. These symptoms require urgent assessment and should not wait for routine screening follow-up.

Ask what test was used, whether the result needs repeating, how often monitoring is needed, which symptoms should prompt contact, and what support is available for meals, activity and medicines.