HbA1c Reliability

Jan 12, 2019

When is the HbA1c not reliable?

	A. Recent blood transfusion
	B. Renal failure
	C. Medication use (e.g. aspirin)
	D. G6PD deficiency
	E. All of the above

Correct

Answer: E) All of the above

Explanation: All these examples compromise a patient’s HbA1c reading. A recent blood transfusion can decrease a patient’s HbA1c because the blood being measured is not the patient’s own; renal failure and G6PD deficiency shorten the lifespan of the red blood cell and can lead to an artificially low HbA1c; and some medications such as aspirin can affect glycation and lead to an altered HbA1c.

Incorrect