August 11, 2005
A1c (Glycohemoglobin, HgbA1c), Diagnosis and Symptoms
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Question from Lithia Springs, Georgia, USA:
A 53 year old female recently had a fasting glucose test of 109 mg/dl [6.1 mmol/L]. She had not been diagnosed with diabetes before and has no immediate family history. Can an A1c test be used to determine if she may be in a first stage of diabetes or is the glucose tolerance test best used for this determination?
Answer:
From: DTeam Staff
It has been established that the hemoglobin A1c is not sensitive enough to use for the diagnosis of diabetes. Rather, the oral glucose tolerance test is to be used for this. There is a point at which the A1c, if over 1% above normal can be interpreted as being consistent with diabetes. However, this has not been accepted for purposes of defining the diagnosis of diabetes.
JTL
