When Paired HbA1c and Fasting Glucose Don't Match, Which is Telling the Truth?

Kee Kok Wai

The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 40 No. 2 - Improving Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities

When Paired HbA1c and Fasting Glucose Don't Match, Which is Telling the Truth?

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Author(s):

Kee Kok Wai

Published in:

The Singapore Family Physician Vol 40 No 2 - Improving Healthcare for Persons with Disabilities

Page(s):

77 - 80

Publication date:

1 April 2014

ISSN:

0377-5305

Abstract

This article explores the pitfalls in using glycated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) as a glycaemic monitoring tool in a patient with alpha-thalassemia intermedia. It includes the methods used for HbA1c measurement, such as charge-based or structure-based, presence of hemoglobin variants, ineffective erythropoiesis, concomitant iron deficiency and peripheral hemolysis. For such cases, the use of blood sugar profiles can be a useful alternative to monitor glycaemic control.