# HbA1c home test kit: recommendations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Gear\ **Tags:** a1c, a1c-meter\ **Created:** [October 16, 2018, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230 "2018-10-16T10:49:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 10:49am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/1 "2018-10-16T10:49:44Z")
We are having a bit of a hard time navigating the health systems of different countries to get regular blood tests and exams. We have some friends coming and I’d like to purchase a few A1c home test kits online to have our friends bring them over. Does anyone have recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![oni](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/oni/32/4872_2.png) [@oni](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/oni)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 12:45pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/2 "2018-10-16T12:45:03Z")
Afinion & DCA Advantage are the only ones that have been consistently found to be close to laboratory precision. Comprehensive reviews: > **[Six of Eight Hemoglobin A1c Point-of-Care Instruments Do Not Meet the General...](http://clinchem.aaccjnls.org/content/56/1/44)** > > Background: Hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) point-of-care (POC) instruments are widely used to provide rapid-turnaround results in diabetic care centers. We investigated the conformance of various Hb A1c POC instruments (In2it from Bio-Rad, DCA Vantage from... > **[Selecting an A1C Point-of-Care Instrument](http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/3/201)** > > A1C point-of-care (POC) instruments benefit patients with diabetes by facilitating clinician decision making that results in significant glycemic improvements. Three National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP)–certified POC products are... [https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/cclm.2017.55.issue-2/cclm-2016-0303/cclm-2016-0303.xml](https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/cclm.2017.55.issue-2/cclm-2016-0303/cclm-2016-0303.xml) Devices at bottom should be better than ones at top, but not for certain: ![j_cclm-2016-0303_fig_003](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/7/724eb8dd30ad7b8288ce28de70b05df26ec11cf4.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/3 "2018-10-16T13:21:28Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > Does anyone have recommendations? Since I frequently use the home A1C tests, I decided that whenever I get a lab A1C test I would also use a home test, to see how close it is (the same way you would check your BG meter by testing at the same time as when they do a blood draw BG!) The ReliOn and the CVS home A1C tests (basically the same thing, just with different labeling) have always been very close. I think the biggest difference I ever saw was 0.2. Usually they are the exact same, or within 0.1 points. Usually they are $40 for two tests, but it looks like right now you can get them online, two for $27.99. Not lab accuracy, but I have no complaints with these! > **[CVS Health At Home A1C Test Kit](https://www.cvs.com/shop/cvs-health-at-home-a1c-test-kit-prodid-496010)** > > If you have diabetes or are trying to monitor your pre-diabetic conditions, use the CVS Health at Home A1C Test Kit to get fast, accurate results. This handy kit includes an A1C monitor, two cartridge pouches, two shaker pouches, a quick reference... ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 1:25pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/4 "2018-10-16T13:25:40Z")
> [@oni](#): > > Afinion & DCA Advantage are the only ones that have been consistently found to be close to laboratory precision. Great links! However, these are for Point Of Care tests, not for home use. I am looking for home kits to use at home 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![oni](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/oni/32/4872_2.png) [@oni](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/oni)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 1:41pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/5 "2018-10-16T13:41:36Z")
They all should be able to be used at home, most are just very expensive. The A1C Now is listed in those studies, and that is the exact same machine as the CVS/ReliOn, with different logos. Looking at it again, if cost is a factor, maybe getting a lot of strips for the A1C Now and just doing a few tests over a couple days may get high accuracy for the cost. 20 strips + machine is about $180 USD, or $6-7/test. Getting the 2 strip machine is less cost efficient. I think the machines are calibrated to the strips, so can’t order separately. The meta-analysis above says most machines have a negative bias, so you could just pick the highest result of a few tests and would probably be closest to true. This way would also yield your inter-assay coefficient of variation (%CV), which is an interesting thing to know. The international standard was made to be about 2% a decade or so ago. Typically it is 10%, but the A1C is stricter than others because very important not to misdiagnose patients. [https://www.salimetrics.com/calculating-inter-and-intra-assay-coefficients-of-variability/](https://www.salimetrics.com/calculating-inter-and-intra-assay-coefficients-of-variability/) ---
**Author:** ![oni](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/oni/32/4872_2.png) [@oni](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/oni)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 2:26pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/6 "2018-10-16T14:26:21Z")
Seems they updated to the _A1c Now+_ a few years ago. It is more reliable and fully certified (not sure if CVS/ReliOn also upgraded). > **[Amazon.com: A1CNow+ System (Monitor w/20 Strips) PTS Diagnostics (Diabetes):...](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KBZ4Y5G)** > > A1CNow+ System monitor with 20 test strips for measuring percent of glycated hemoglobin (%A1C) levels in capillary (fingerstick) or venous whole blood samples. > **[Assessment of the Performance of A1CNow+ and Development of an Error Grid...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4029042/#%21po%3D67.5926)** > > Background: This study investigated the performance of the A1CNow\[+®\] test (Bayer Diabetes Care, Sunnyvale, CA) in a large population of Chinese patients with diabetes.Subjects and Methods: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in 1,618 Chinese patients ... ![Screenshot_20181016-070631](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/2/2b8c2ed8594efc753e8ca22bff5b65d9b4b2ab62.jpeg) ![fig-1](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/1/1d6fc019094a0aa208c7afbc143e78911af419bc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/7 "2018-10-16T23:49:22Z")
@oni, nice idea! I would not have thought to go pro and buy a bunch of test strips to go with it. I’ll see if I can make $ sense out of that, it may well work for us. @Eric, thanks a bunch for the ref! I find out I cannot access the CVS site from Spain ☹ I’ll check Amazon for same. ---
**Author:** ![MM2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/mm2/32/3032_2.png) [@MM2](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MM2)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/8 "2018-10-17T00:40:17Z")
> [@Eric](#): > > The ReliOn and the CVS home A1C tests (basically the same thing, just with different labeling) I have also used the A1C Now home tests, and found them close to lab and POC (office visit) tests. But that has been at least 4-5 years ago. For me, since using Dexcom, I don’t find much value in A1C, other than showing the doctor I still know what I’m doing and having records on file. ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/eric/32/9209_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 2:19am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/9 "2018-10-17T02:19:42Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > @Eric, thanks a bunch for the ref! I find out I cannot access the CVS site from Spain ☹ I’ll check Amazon for same. I can send you some if you want! ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/10 "2018-10-17T21:47:35Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > I cannot access the CVS site from Spain Get thee a VPN. ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/11 "2018-10-17T23:14:23Z")
@Michel If you want Relion or CVS kits, I am happy to procure and ship. ---
**Author:** ![Michel](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/michel/32/387_2.png) [@Michel](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Michel)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/12 "2018-10-18T01:44:37Z")
Thanks so much for all the help! @Eric, @elver, that was super nice to offer! I looked at the A1c Now that @oni had pointed at (thanks very much, @oni!) and just bought the 20-strip version on Amazon: this gives us plenty for 1 year’s worth at 3 strips per test with a few to spare. I had it shipped to a friend who is flying over soon. ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/13 "2018-10-18T02:18:10Z")
@Michel if you find you need something stateside, just ask. Happy to ship ---
**Author:** ![jim26](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jim26/32/9780_2.png) [@jim26](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/jim26)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/14 "2018-10-18T22:31:41Z")
Is there really even a point to Home A1c if you have CGM? My A1c is always within a couple points of my CGM. I still do Dr. Office A1c solely to keep my insurance co happy, but really think it is a waste of money. ---
**Author:** ![Ally333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Ally333](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Ally333)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2022, 9:35am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/hba1c-home-test-kit-recommendations/5230/15 "2022-12-13T09:35:16Z")
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