Review Article

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C): A brief overview for clinicians

Gautam Rawal1,*, Sankalp Yadav2, Raj Kumar3, Amrita Singh4
1
Attending Consultant, 3Senior Consultant & Incharge, Dept. of Respiratory Intensive Care, Max Super Specialty
Hospital, Saket, New Delhi, 2General Duty Medical Officer- II, Dept. of Medicine & TB, Chest Clinic Moti Nagar,
North Delhi Municipal Corporation, New Delhi, 4Lab Director & Senior Pathologist, Gen-X Diagnostic, New Delhi

*Corresponding Author:
Email: [email protected]

Abstract
Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an index of estimated average blood glucose over the preceding three
months, giving an estimate of long-term glycemic status. Its value is used both for the diagnosis and monitoring the
blood glucose control of the patients with diabetes mellitus. Though a widely used tool the value of HbA1c is
influenced by various factors which, if not kept in mind of the treating clinician may lead to a false diagnosis or
false sense of diabetic control. The authors give a brief overview of the HbA1c and the factors affecting its value.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Estimated average glucose; Glycosylated hemoglobin; Glycemic control

Introduction the glycation of hemoglobin occurred in the

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the form previous 35.2 days from the time of its
of hemoglobin that is used widely to identify the estimation)[1,6,7].
average blood glucose levels of a person over the The approximate relation between HbA1c
past three months and also can correlate to values and eAG (estimated average glucose)
complications of high blood sugar (diabetes measurements is given by the following equation
mellitus)[1,2]. It is recommended by international (Table 1)[1]:
guidelines for evaluating the overall control of eAG(mg/dl) = 28.7 × A1C − 46.7
diabetes mellitus (DM)[1,2]. The World Health eAG(mmol/l) = 1.59 × A1C − 2.59
Organization (WHO) and the American Diabetes
Association (ADA) also uses the value of HbA1c
for the diagnosis of DM[3,4].

Pathophysiology and interpretation

HbA1C is formed by non-enzymatic glycation
of the beta chain of hemoglobin A by the plasma
glucose[5]. This glycation is irreversible and occurs
continuously throughout the life span of red blood
cells, which is 120 days (three months)[1,2]. The
HbA1C or the fraction of glycated hemoglobin
increases in a predictable manner according to the
average level of plasma glucose. Therefore, it
gives the blood sugar level estimate of the past
three months, with the recent glucose levels
having the greatest influence on its value[1,2].
Various researchers in their studies have shown
that the mean blood glucose of previous 1 month,
2 months and 3 months contributes 50%, 40% and
10% respectively to the final result and thus
mathematically calculating, the half-life of HbA1c
is estimated to be 35.2 days (indicating that half of

Indian Journal of Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, April-June 2016;1(2);33-36 33

Gautam Rawal et al. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C): A brief overview for clinicians

Table 1: Approximate relation between HbA1c values and eAG (estimated average glucose)
measurements
HbA1c (%) HbA1c (mmol/mol) eAG (mmol/L) eAG (mg/dL)
5 31 5.4 (4.2–6.7) 97 (76–120)
6 42 7.0 (5.5–8.5) 126 (100–152)
7 53 8.6 (6.8–10.3) 154 (123–185)
8 64 10.2 (8.1–12.1) 183 (147–217)
9 75 11.8 (9.4–13.9) 212 (170–249)
10 86 13.4 (10.7–15.7) 240 (193–282)
11 97 14.9 (12.0–17.5) 269 (217–314)
12 108 16.5 (13.3–19.3) 298 (240–347)
13 119 18.1 (15–21) 326 (260–380)
14 130 19.7 (16–23) 355 (290–410)
15 140 21.3 (17–25) 384 (310–440)
16 151 22.9 (19–26) 413 (330–480)
17 162 24.5 (20–28) 441 (460–510)
18 173 26.1 (21–30) 470 (380–540)
19 184 27.7 (23–32) 499 (410–570)

Recommendations and advantages of marker in assessing a patient’s risk of

measuring HbA1c: The recommended value of microvascular complications (nephropathy,
HbA1c in diabetic patients is below 6.5% by the retinopathy) and hypoglycemia. The UKPDS
IDF (International Diabetes Federation) and below study clearly demonstrated that the reduction in
7.0% by the American College of Endocrinology the level of HbA1c was accompanied by a
(ACE)[6]. WHO and the ADA defined the value of significant decrease in diabetes related
HbA1c above 6.5% as diagnostic of DM and 5.7% complication and one percent (%) decrease in
to 6.4% as pre-diabetes (the value needs to be HbA1c diminished the risk of myocardial
reconfirmed the following day)[3,4]. infarction and microvascular complication by 14%
It has been recommended by the various and 37% respectively[10].
international diabetes control organizations (IDF,
ADA) to check the HbA1c levels twice in a year Limitations and pitfalls of HbA1c
for the patients with blood sugars within the measurement: There are numerous factors that
targeted control and quarterly for the patients with can influence the value of HbA1c[1,3,11]. They can
uncontrolled blood sugars or the patients who be summarized as:
underwent a change in the diabetic control 1. Abnormal hemoglobin- The patients with
therapy[8]. HbA1c measurement is recommended hemoglobinopathies (genetic or chemical
in patients for both (a) checking blood sugar alterations), fetal hemoglobin (HbF),
control in pre-diabetic persons and (b) monitoring methemoglobin can have variation in the
blood sugar control in diabetic patients with HbA1c levels due to alteration in the RBC life
previous high levels of blood sugar. The major span.
advantages of measuring HbA1c are that it is 2. Red cell synthesis (defective erythropoiesis)-
convenient to the patient as it does not require any Falsely elevated levels of HbA1c are seen in
special preparation or fasting, can be done at any Vitamin B12, folate and iron deficiency,
time of the day, is relatively more stable at room decreased erythropoiesis renal insufficiency,
temperature after collection and the variability in and malignancy. Falsely low HbA1c can be
the levels is less as compared to the fasting blood seen if the patient is administered
sugar. erythropoietin, iron, or vitamin B12, in
The two major studies, namely the Diabetes patients with reticulocytosis, and chronic liver
Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) in type 1 disease.
diabetes[9] and the United Kingdom Prospective 3. Abnormal Glycation- Increased value of
Diabetes Study (UKPDS) in type 2 diabetes[10] HbA1c seen in alcoholism, chronic renal
showed the evidence of HbA1c, as an important failure, decreased intra-erythrocyte pH, and
Indian Journal of Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, April-June 2016;1(2);33-36 34
Gautam Rawal et al. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C): A brief overview for clinicians

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