Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C): A brief overview for clinicians

• Author Details:   
• Gautam Rawal
• Sankalp Yadav
• Raj Kumar
• Amrita Singh

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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