Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy
Glycosylated haemoglobin (Hb A1) measurement is the most widely used measure of longterm glycaemic control in diabetes.
Glycosylated haemoglobin is produced by the non-enzymatic glycosylation of haemoglobin at a rate proportional to the prevailing glucose concentration. The level of Hb A1 depends upon:
Providing red cell lifespan is normal, Hb A1 measures mean blood glucose concentration over the preceding 60 days - i.e. half-life of red cell.
Some assays measure total glycosylated haemoglobin whilst others measure Hb A1c produced by glycosylation of the N-terminal valine of the B-chain of haemoglobin.
Notes:
DCCT- HbA1c (%) | IFCC-HbA1c (mmol/mol) |
6.0 | 42 |
6.5 | 48 |
7.0 | 53 |
7.5 | 59 |
8.0 | 64 |
9.0 | 75 |
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