This forms a small proportion of the total haemoglobin in the blood. It is different from the major component of haemoglobin in having a glucose group attached. The rate of synthesis of HbA1 is a governed by the blood-glucose concentration, and since it accumulates throughout the life span of the red blood cell normally 120 days — the concentration of HbA1 is related to the mean blood-glucose concentration over the past 3-4 months. It is thus a useful indicator of medium-term diabetic control a good target range would be a concentration of 5—8 -per cent. When interpreting the HbA! level, however, it is important to remember that wide fluctuations in blood-glucose concentration, together with anaemia or a reduced erythrocyte life span, may give misleading results.
Glycosylated hemoglobin is a type of hemoglobin that is attached to glucose. In the general population, approximately three to eight percent of hemoglobin is glycosylated. However, individuals with diabetes mellitus may experience an increase in glycosylated hemoglobin levels if their treatment fails to maintain their blood glucose within the normal range.
The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin indicate the average blood glucose levels over the past three months.