HbA1c Test Price in Pakistan 2026: Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad — All Labs Compared
HbA1c test price in Pakistan starts from Rs. 700 and goes up to Rs. 1,400 depending on the lab and city. In Lahore, Chughtai Lab charges Rs. 750. In Karachi, Aga Khan Lab charges Rs. 1,100. This guide covers exact prices at every major lab, normal ranges, and how to prepare.
HbA1c Test Prices in Pakistan 2026 — City and Lab Comparison
HbA1c prices vary significantly between labs and cities in Pakistan. Below are the verified rates at major labs across Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad as of May 2026.
HbA1c Prices in Lahore
| Lab Name | HbA1c Price | Home Collection | Report Time | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excel Lab Best Price | Rs. 700 | Rs. 150 | 4–6 hrs | ★★★★☆ 4.0 |
| IDC Lahore | Rs. 720 | Rs. 150 | 3–5 hrs | ★★★★☆ 4.2 |
| Chughtai Lab | Rs. 750 | Rs. 200 | 4 hrs | ★★★★½ 4.5 |
| Dr. Essa Lab | Rs. 800 | Rs. 150 | 6 hrs | ★★★★☆ 4.1 |
| Aga Khan Lab (Lahore) | Rs. 1,100 | Rs. 200 | 2–3 hrs | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
HbA1c Prices in Karachi
| Lab Name | HbA1c Price | Home Collection | Report Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Essa Lab Best Price | Rs. 750 | Rs. 150 | 5–6 hrs |
| IDC Karachi | Rs. 780 | Rs. 150 | 4 hrs |
| Aga Khan Lab (Karachi) | Rs. 1,100 | Rs. 200 | 2–3 hrs |
Prices verified May 2026 via MedNexus live database. Confirm with lab before visiting.
Book your CBC test at Chughtai Lab today
Home collection from Rs. 160. Reports in 4 hours.
What Is the HbA1c Test?
HbA1c — also written as HBA1C, glycated haemoglobin, or "3-month sugar test" — measures the average blood glucose level over the past 2–3 months. Unlike a fasting blood sugar test which gives a snapshot of your glucose right now, HbA1c reflects your blood sugar control over the entire previous quarter.
The science behind it is straightforward: glucose in the blood sticks to haemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells). Since red blood cells live about 3 months, measuring the percentage of haemoglobin that has glucose attached gives an accurate picture of average blood sugar control over that period.
HbA1c is the primary test used to:
- Diagnose Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
- Monitor how well a diabetic patient is controlling blood sugar
- Assess the risk of diabetes complications (kidney damage, nerve damage, vision loss)
- Guide decisions about diabetes medication adjustments
HbA1c Normal Range in Pakistan
These are the standard HbA1c reference ranges used by Chughtai Lab, Aga Khan Lab, and IDC in Pakistan. All three labs use NGSP (National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program) calibrated analysers, so results are internationally comparable.
| HbA1c Result | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Below 5.7% | Normal | Retest every 1–3 years as routine screening |
| 5.7% – 6.4% | Prediabetes | Lifestyle changes urgently needed. Retest in 6 months. |
| 6.5% – 7.9% | Diabetes (well-controlled target) | On medication — target is to stay below 7%. Consult doctor. |
| 8.0% – 9.9% | Poorly controlled diabetes | Medication or diet adjustment needed. See doctor within 2 weeks. |
| 10% or above | Very high risk of complications | Urgent specialist review needed. Risk of retinopathy, nephropathy. |
How Often Should You Get HbA1c Tested?
The frequency of HbA1c testing depends on where you are in your diabetes management journey:
- Non-diabetic adults over 40, or with family history of diabetes: Once per year as a screening test
- Prediabetes: Every 6 months to track whether lifestyle changes are working
- Newly diagnosed diabetes or medication change: Every 3 months until stable
- Stable, well-controlled diabetes (HbA1c consistently below 7%): Every 6 months
Most Pakistani endocrinologists follow the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines, which recommend quarterly testing for uncontrolled diabetes and semi-annual for stable patients. Your own doctor may differ — always follow their specific advice.
What Does a High HbA1c Mean?
An HbA1c above 6.5% on two separate tests confirms a diagnosis of diabetes. A single high reading is always repeated before treatment decisions are made.
For already-diagnosed diabetics, a rising HbA1c means that blood sugar control is deteriorating — either the current medication dose is insufficient, diet has worsened, physical activity has decreased, or there is another factor such as illness or new medication affecting glucose metabolism.
Two important points for Pakistani patients:
- Haemoglobin variants are common in Pakistan. Thalassaemia trait and sickle cell variants — which affect 5–8% of the population in some regions — can cause falsely low or falsely high HbA1c readings. If your lab knows about your haemoglobin variant, they will flag it. Aga Khan Lab and Chughtai Lab are equipped to handle this interpretation.
- Iron deficiency anaemia — extremely common in Pakistani women — can falsely raise HbA1c. If you are anaemic, discuss this with your doctor before relying on a single HbA1c result.
How to Prepare for HbA1c Test
HbA1c testing does not require fasting. You can eat and drink normally before the test. You can have it done at any time of day. This is one of its major advantages over fasting glucose testing.
The only preparation required:
- Inform the lab if you have any known haemoglobin disorders (thalassaemia, sickle cell trait)
- Let them know if you have had a blood transfusion in the past 3 months — this will affect the reading
- Mention if you are taking iron supplements or have been diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia
Compare HbA1c prices live across all labs
MedNexus tracks HbA1c prices daily at Chughtai, Aga Khan, IDC, Excel, and Dr. Essa Lab. See current prices and home collection fees in one place.
Compare HbA1c PricesFrequently Asked Questions — HbA1c Test Pakistan
Is fasting required for HbA1c test in Pakistan?
No. HbA1c test does not require fasting. You can eat and drink normally before the test. This is one of the most important differences between HbA1c and fasting blood glucose — HbA1c can be done at any time of day without any preparation.
What is the price of HbA1c test at Chughtai Lab?
Chughtai Lab charges Rs. 750 for HbA1c test in Lahore as of May 2026. Home collection costs an additional Rs. 200. Reports are delivered within 4 hours via their app and web portal.
What is normal HbA1c in Pakistan?
A normal HbA1c result in Pakistan (and internationally) is below 5.7%. Results between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate prediabetes. A reading of 6.5% or above on two separate tests confirms diabetes. For diagnosed diabetics, the target is generally to keep HbA1c below 7%.
What is HbA1c called in Urdu?
HbA1c is commonly referred to as تین ماہ کا شوگر ٹیسٹ (teen maah ka sugar test) or گلائیکیٹڈ ہیموگلوبن in Urdu. In Roman Urdu it is called "teen mahine wala sugar test" or "HbA1c test."
How much does an HbA1c test cost at Aga Khan Lab?
Aga Khan Lab charges Rs. 1,100 for HbA1c in both Lahore and Karachi as of May 2026. Home collection fee is Rs. 200. Reports are delivered within 2–3 hours, making it the fastest option for same-day specialist visits.
Can HbA1c results differ between labs?
Slight variations (0.1–0.2%) are possible between labs. All major Pakistani labs (Chughtai, Aga Khan, IDC, Excel) use NGSP-certified analysers, so readings are highly comparable. For trend monitoring over time, it is best to use the same lab consistently — not because one is "better" but because consistency allows accurate comparison of your own readings over months.
Book your CBC test at Chughtai Lab today
Home collection from Rs. 160. Reports in 4 hours.
The Bottom Line
HbA1c testing is the most important tool for managing and diagnosing diabetes in Pakistan. For stable diabetics on regular monitoring, Excel Lab (Rs. 700) and Chughtai Lab (Rs. 750) deliver results that are clinically equivalent to Aga Khan Lab at Rs. 1,100 — as both use NGSP-certified technology.
Use MedNexus to compare today's prices before booking. Many labs offer periodic discounts on diabetes panels (HbA1c + fasting glucose + lipid profile bundled together) that can reduce the total cost by 20–30%.