HbA1c

Question 1

What is HbA1c?

Answer 1

Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is the most widely used measure of long-term glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus.

HbA1c is produced by the glycosylation of haemoglobin at a rate proportional to the glucose concentration.

The level of HbA1c therefore is dependant on

1. Red blood cell lifespan
2. Average blood glucose concentration

Question 2

What are the ranges of HbA1c

Answer 2

1. Normal
   Below 42 mmol/mol - 6%
2. Prediabetes
   42 to 47 mmol/mol - 6-6.4%
3. Diabetes
   48 mmol/mol or over - 6.5% or over

Question 3

What are the HbA1c targets for diabetic patients?

Answer 3

1. Lifestyle
   48 mmol/mol(6.5%)
2. Lifestyle + metformin
   48 mmol/mol(6.5%)
3. Includes any drug which may cause hypoglycaemia (e.g. lifestyle + sulfonylurea)
   53 mmol/mol (7.0%)