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June 27, 1999

A1c (Glycohemoglobin, HgbA1c)

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Question from Orange Park, Florida, USA:

My son just had his 12th birthday. He was diagnosed with type 1 four months ago. When red blood cells die or are destroyed, whatever the process, what happens to the glucose attached to the A1c hemoglobin constituent?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

A great many proteins in the body besides hemoglobin have glucose molecules attached to them and these are circulated back into the total body glucose pool as the proteins are turned over. The total contribution to blood glucose at any one instant is negligible compared to the amount absorbed from the gut or derived from the breakdown of glycogen or the synthesis from protein and fat.

DOB