Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the gold standard for evaluating glycemic control in
people with diabetes. The HbA1c test shows how well your diabetes has compensated in
the last 120 days.

Although there may be some very high or very low blood sugar levels, the HbA1c will
give you an idea of ​​the average amount of glucose in your blood during this time period.
The result can help you and your doctor know if the steps you're taking to control your
diabetes are enough.


In the past, this test was used only to assess glycemic control in patients already
diagnosed with diabetes, but since early

In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) added HbA1c to the established criteria
for diagnosing type 2 diabetes.

However, new research has shown that the glycated hemoglobin test to diagnose diabetes often misses cases and is not a reliable diagnostic method.

Scientists recommend performing an "oral glucose tolerance test" for a more accurate
diagnosis. They studied 9,000 patients in California without a diagnosis of diabetes.

Their results show that, compared to the "oral glucose tolerance test", glycosylated
hemoglobin will misdiagnose glucose tolerance by up to 42% and will miss the diagnosis
by up to 73%.

Glycosylated hemoglobin tests for diabetes with a sensitivity of 26.93% and a specificity
of 99.39%. For testing glucose tolerance, the test has a sensitivity of 84.92% and a
specificity of 43.53%.

The amount of glycosylated hemoglobin varies by race and ethnicity. The highest
sensitivity is shown in non-Hispanic African Americans - 41.25%, Mexican Americans -
30.71%, and non-Hispanic Europeans - 21.11%.

Posted by: Winona Almost
Doctor at Medicine and Healthcare (2004�present)

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