Annual diabetes check

For follow-up

Blood test for the annual diabetes check with glucose and glycated haemoglobin, kidney function, urine albumin/creatinine ratio, cholesterol, liver function, full blood count, vitamin B12 and other monitoring parameters. It is designed to bring together the most important periodic checks for diabetes that has already been diagnosed in a single sample.

No prescription or appointment needed

Results in 1-2 working days

Blood and urine sample. Includes: Glycated haemoglobin · Glucose · Lipid profile and ratios · Creatinine and eGFR · Urine albumin/creatinine ratio · Sodium and potassium. 13 in total. See what each one measures

What it is for

It is used to review three aspects of diabetes that has already been diagnosed. First, how glucose has been over the last few months. Second, whether there are changes in the kidneys, the liver or cardiovascular risk. And third, whether the treatment or the course of the condition justifies monitoring parameters such as potassium or vitamin B12.

It is designed as a periodic check and is especially useful when results are compared with those of previous years. It does not replace clinical reviews, eye examinations or foot checks, which are part of follow-up and are not assessed with a blood test.

When it is recommended

Annual check of type 2 diabetes
Diabetes of several years' duration without a recent review of the kidneys or cardiovascular risk
Long-term treatment with metformin, because of the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency
Before a scheduled medical review, if you have been told to attend with a full blood test
As a complement to the follow-up of type 1 diabetes, when the professional in charge considers these parameters appropriate

Clinical comment

Glucose control is only one part of follow-up. Diabetes can affect the kidneys and increase cardiovascular risk before it causes symptoms, which is why we have included the lipid profile, kidney function and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio.

This ratio is more useful than measuring urinary albumin on its own, because it corrects for the effect of more concentrated or more dilute urine. Even so, an abnormal result usually needs confirming: intense exercise, a urinary infection, fever or menstruation can raise it temporarily.

Vitamin B12 is included because long-term treatment with metformin can lower it. A deficiency can cause anaemia or neurological symptoms that should be distinguished from diabetic neuropathy.

We also calculate FIB-4 from age, transaminases and platelets. It helps select the people who may need a further liver assessment, but it does not diagnose fibrosis on its own.

Dr. Antonio Mas

What is tested

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c): Reflects average glucose over the last two or three months and is the usual reference for assessing diabetes control.
Glucose: Measures blood sugar at the time the sample is taken and complements the information from HbA1c.
Lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides) and ratios
Creatinine and eGFR: Assess how well the kidneys are working.
Urine albumin/creatinine ratio: Detects small amounts of albumin loss, one of the first signs of kidney damage from diabetes.
Sodium and potassium: Help monitor salt balance and possible effects of some treatments for blood pressure or the kidneys.
Vitamin B12: Identifies a deficiency, which is especially relevant when metformin has been taken for a long time.
AST, ALT and GGT: Enzymes that give information about the liver.
Full blood count: Checks red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, and provides the data needed to calculate FIB-4.
FIB-4 index (calculated): Estimates the probability of advanced liver fibrosis from age, transaminases and platelets.
Urinalysis and sediment: Looks for additional urinary abnormalities, such as blood, protein or signs of infection.
Ferritin: Assesses iron stores, although it can also rise with inflammation or liver disease.
Uric acid: Completes the metabolic and kidney assessment.

These tests are used to calculate Índice FIB-4. They are not separate tests.

How to prepare

Fast for 8 to 12 hours. You can drink water. Bring a sample of your first morning urine or collect it at the partner centre. Avoid intense exercise the day before and, if it can be postponed, do not provide the sample during a urinary infection or menstruation. Take your usual medication unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

You can add

Without another needle. It is offered when you order, so you do not have to decide now.

Advanced lipid panelExtends standard cholesterol with ApoB, lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine, markers that refine the assessment of cardiovascular risk and are not usually measured routinely.+€59.00

Related blood tests

We have other profiles in Heart and diabetes with more or fewer tests:

The most comprehensive is not always the most useful. If you are not sure, the one we recommend to start with is Cardiovascular risk blood test with ApoB and Lp(a).

What it is based on

American Diabetes Association · Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026 · Diabetes Care 49(Supl 1):S61-S88
Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities
Its table for the annual assessment of adults with diabetes includes creatinine with eGFR, urine albumin/creatinine ratio, lipid profile, FIB-4 calculation even when transaminases are normal, and vitamin B12 in people who have taken metformin for more than five years. That is the list this check is built from.

Protocol designed by Dr. Antonio Mas, specialist in Endocrinology and Nutrition, Spanish medical licence no. 080846289, and reviewed in September 2026.

This blood test is a standardised protocol and does not replace a medical consultation. If you have symptoms, a known condition or a complex clinical situation, speak to your doctor.