A1c (HbA1c)
Sample: Whole blood (EDTA, Heparin, Citrate, etc.)
Status: Accredited
Schedule: Daily (HPLC UV/VIS)
Units: % of total Hb
Range: Up 4,0% IFCC (6,2% NGSP/DCCT)
Factor: (0.95 x IFCC) + 2.15 = NGSP/DCCT
Remarks: HbA1c (glycosylated heamoglobin) is used to assess blood Glucose control in diabetic patients whose serum glucose levels are labile and single blood glucose measurements may not accurately reflect the true glucose level over few weeks.
HbA1c value reflects the average blood glucose level for the last 4 - 6 weeks (this is the average half-life of RBCs in blood, where the HbA1c is stored in).
Similarly, serum Fructosamine (glycated serum protein) may be used to assess the blood glucose control, for a short interval of 2 - 3 weeks (the average half-life of Albumin in plasma, where the fructosamine is stored with).
Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin dependent): The insulin-producing Beta cells of the pancreas are almost completely damaged and do not produce insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes (Non-insulin dependent): The insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas produce either not enough insulin or the body of the patients becames Resistant to the effects of their own insulin.
The most reliable method for quantitation of HbA1c is the HPLC method:
HPLC chromatogram for quantitafication of HbA1c
