MyGDM - Home HbA1c pilot Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
My GDM Scotland: Home HbA1c Testing Pilot
IRAS ID
356021
Contact name
Eilidh L Clark
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the name for diabetes that develops in pregnancy. National guidance recommends that people with GDM have their HbA1c level taken via a blood test performed at least 13 weeks after delivery to ensure that their blood sugars have normalised. This is important as a small number of women will have persistently high blood sugars. Currently women are invited to clinic to have their HbA1c level taken however many people struggle to attend these appointments resulting in low follow-up rates.
This study is trialling a HbA1c blood test which is taken at home by participants to see if it improves the number of people who perform HbA1c testing after having a pregnancy affected by GDM. We also hope to gain an understanding of how people feel about doing an at-home test, rather than visiting a clinic for one.
Patients diagnosed with GDM receiving care within the diabetic antenatal clinic at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, and deemed suitable by their doctors for postnatal HbA1c testing, will be offered the opportunity to take part in the study. Participants will be sent a home test kit at around 13 weeks after they deliver, rather than attending a clinic. They will be asked to take a finger-prick sample of blood (around 5-6 drops) and send the sample via the post to a lab for analysis. Participants will receive their blood test results alongside a survey to evaluate their experiences of home HbA1c testing.
30 participants will be recruited to this pilot trial with results used to shape the design of a larger clinical study into home HbA1c testing after GDM.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0162
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion