Catch insulin resistance years before symptoms appear
The short answer
Diabetes Screening Panel bundles 3 tests — Hemoglobin A1c, Glucose, Fasting and Insulin, Fasting — for $59.99 plus one $6 lab processing fee (about $20.00 per test). Fast 8–12 hours before the draw; results post in 2–5 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; one draw at Quest.
Other Labs
Starting at $100
+ lab fees
TestWell
$59.99
+ $6 lab processing fee
The Diabetes Screening Panel combines three key tests to evaluate blood sugar control and insulin resistance. Hemoglobin A1c provides a 2–3 month average, fasting glucose gives a current snapshot, and fasting insulin detects insulin resistance — often the earliest sign of metabolic dysfunction, appearing years before glucose or A1c become abnormal. Together, these three tests provide the most complete picture of diabetes risk.
3 metabolic tests: A1c (3-month average glucose), Fasting Glucose (current snapshot), Fasting Insulin. Detects insulin resistance years before A1c becomes diabetic.
Anyone with diabetes risk factors (BMI 25+, family history, sedentary, GLP-1 patient), age 35+ for routine screening, anyone with prediabetes managing their progression, women with PCOS.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Required
Results In
2–5 business days
Biomarkers
3 across 3 tests
3 individual tests · 3 biomarkers measured — each test linked so you can learn more.
Fasting for 10–12 hours is required. Water is okay.
What can throw off this result
Physician-reviewed “Before your test” pages — what each factor does, for how long, and what to do about it.
A Diabetes Screening Panel costs $59.99 at TestWell — $65.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible.
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $59.99 | $65.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
Compare more: Quest Diagnostics price list · Labcorp price list · Quest vs Labcorp · Lab test price checker
Three tests: Hemoglobin A1c (3-month average glucose), Fasting Glucose (today's morning snapshot), and Fasting Insulin (the earliest insulin-resistance marker). Together they cover diagnosis (A1c), monitoring (Glucose), and early detection (Insulin) in one draw.
Insulin resistance precedes elevated A1c by years (often a decade). A high fasting insulin with normal glucose is the earliest warning sign — and the most actionable: lifestyle changes (low-carb diet, resistance training, weight loss) are highly effective at this stage. Calculate HOMA-IR (Insulin × Glucose / 405) — values above 2.0 suggest insulin resistance.
A1c alone tells you your average glucose over the past 3 months — useful for diagnosis and monitoring. Diabetes Panel adds Fasting Glucose (catches sudden glucose changes A1c misses) and Fasting Insulin (catches insulin resistance years before A1c rises). For someone with risk factors or early symptoms, the full panel is more useful.
On TestWell, the Diabetes Screening Panel is $59.99. Ordering the same 3 tests separately would be about $75. Quest Direct lists comparable bundles at $100, walk-in hospital labs typically bill $250-350 for the same biomarkers without insurance.
Yes — 8-12 hours of fasting (water only) for accurate Fasting Glucose and Fasting Insulin. A1c does not require fasting but is included in the same draw.
C-peptide distinguishes Type 1 from Type 2 diabetes (low C-peptide = T1, requires insulin). Add it if your diagnosis is unclear or if you have insulin-deficiency symptoms. For routine T2 screening, this panel is sufficient.
Yes — all three tests are available at Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp patient service centers nationwide. Order on TestWell, pick your preferred lab, and we'll generate a digital requisition for any of their walk-in locations.
Annually for adults 35+ with risk factors. Every 3-6 months if you're prediabetic or actively making metabolic interventions. Every 3 months on a GLP-1 (Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, Zepbound). Annually for healthy adults under 35 with risk factors.
Diabetes Screening Panel results are typically ready in 2–5 business days after your draw at Quest or Labcorp. TestWell emails you the moment they post, and your results dashboard shows each marker against its reference range with a plain-English explanation.
Eating before the draw, peptides and GLP-1s and alcohol can change a Diabetes Screening Panel result without anything being wrong. Eating before the draw can raise Glucose and Insulin — fast 8–12 hours; water only. Peptides and GLP-1s can lower Hemoglobin A1c — expected treatment effect — A1c is the monitoring marker, not a reason to stop. Alcohol can shift Glucose — abstain the evening before a fasting glucose. Each factor is covered on our physician-reviewed "Before your test" pages; when one applies, the fix is usually to remove it and retest.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
Related guide
A1c Levels Explained: Normal Ranges, Prediabetes Cutoffs, and What Can Skew Your Number
Related guide
Blood Tests for Men's Health
Related guide
Blood Tests for Women's Health
Starting at $100 at other labs
TestWell Price
$59.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
Individual tests that complement this panel
Diabetes Screening Panel
$59.99