Use of Hemoglobin A1c to Diagnose Diabetes

Cutoffs for glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting glucose levels don't identify the same people as having diabetes.

In 2010, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) endorsed glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) level as an acceptable method for diagnosing diabetes mellitus (Diabetes Care 2010; 33[Suppl 1]:S62). According to the ADA, diabetes should be diagnosed when HbA_1c level is ≥6.5% or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level is ≥126 mg/dL; prediabetes is diagnosed when HbA_1c level is 5.7% to 6.4%, or FPG level is 100 to 125 mg/dL.

Researchers measured both HbA_1c and FPG in 1865 community-dwelling older adults (age range, 70–79) without diabetes. Eighty people (4.3%) met either the HbA_1c or the FPG criterion for diabetes; about one third had elevated HbA_1c only, one third had elevated FPG only, and one third had both. In addition, 596 people (32%) met one or bot…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Use of Hemoglobin A_1c to Diagnose Diabetes

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Reviewing Author