Glycosylated hemoglobin

This is relatively anew investigation for the diabetics. Its abbreviated as Hb A1c. Best part is it doesn’t require overnight fasting.

Principle behind it:

Glucose in the blood gets itself attached to the membranes of red blood cells aka RBC. These stay till the life of the rbc is over ie 120 days or 3 months. So the level in blood reflects the control over 3 months.

So far it was used only for follow up recently it was made as a tool for diagnosing too by the American diabetes association

Advantages to patients

• It can be done 6 monthly for well controlled states
• 3 monthly for moderately to poorly controlled
• Doesn’t need overnight fasting
• No repeated pricks for fasting and after food

Disadvantages

• Can’t be used for check the efficiacy of the new drug
• Can’t show controls below 3 month period

Guide

by admin on 23. Feb, 2010 in diabetes information