Hemoglobin variants detected by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) analysis and the effects on HbA1c measurements

Hemoglobin variants and hemoglobin A1c analysis: problem solved?

Measurement of glycohemoglobin (GHb) is an integral component of the management of patients with diabetes mellitus (1, 2). Glycation is the nonenzymatic addition of a sugar residue to amino groups of proteins. Numerous proteins in the body are glycated, but GHb in blood is the analyte most widely used clinically to monitor glycemic control. The concentration of GHb is directly proportional to t...

HbA1c levels in individuals heterozygous for hemoglobin variants.

Objective: To evaluate the levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients heterozygous for hemoglobin variants and compare the results of this test with those of a control group. Method: This was an experimental study based on the comparison of HbA1c tests in two different populations, with a test group represented by individuals heterozygous for hemoglobin variants (AS and AC) and a contr...

HbA1c and interference due to hemoglobin disorders

A case of Hemoglobin Beckman; An example of hemoglobin variants interfering with HbA1c measurement

Aim: It has been known for a long time that the presence of clinically silent hemoglobin (Hb) variants in blood samples could influence the measurement of glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) since these abnormal hemoglobins might interfere with some methodologies. In the present study we describe the first case of Hb Beckman in Turkey. Material and Methods: The variant was detected during the HbA1c measure...

Correlation between hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and average blood glucose: can HbA1c be reported as estimated blood glucose concentration?

Glycation is the nonenzymatic addition of sugar to amino groups of proteins. While virtually any protein in the body can be glycated, for convenience and ease of obtaining a sample, glycated hemoglobin is measured in the blood obtained from a patient. Blood glucose concentrations exhibit wide diurnal fluctuations due to food ingestion, exercise, and other factors. In contrast, the concentration...