HbA1c Plus Haemoglobin Variants

Service Description

Biomarkers: -- HbA1c -- HbA2 -- HbF -- Hb Variants (HbS, HbE, HbC, HbD) Sample: BLOOD Results: Same Day Phlebotomy fee: £0 HbA1C (glycated haemoglobin) test measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2 to 3 months. HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) is considered a gold standard method for HbA1c testing for several reasons: -- It can distinguish between different haemoglobin variants -- It is less susceptible to interference from other substances in the blood, such as lipids or haemoglobin variants The presence of Haemoglobin (Hb) variants can significantly affect the measurement and interpretation of HbA1c levels, which is a key marker for monitoring long-term glycemic control in diabetes. Variants affect the quality of red blood cells (RBC) produced by the bone marrow and causes the RBC to be destroyed earlier than their expected 120 days lifespan. The short lifespan of the RBC (sometimes less than 20 days) could give a false low HbA1c because the cells do not live long enough for glucose to stick to them. Knowledge of the presence of variants improves interpretation and overall diabetes care. Symptoms of diabetes can include: -- Increased thirst -- Frequent urination -- Unexplained weight loss -- Fatigue -- Blurred vision -- Slow-healing sores