We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




HbA1c Test Misses Many Cases of Diabetes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 02 Apr 2019
A glucose tolerance test, also known as the oral glucose tolerance test, measures the body's response to sugar (glucose). More...
In this test, a person's blood is taken after an overnight fast, and then again two hours after they drink a sugary drink. The glucose tolerance test can be used to screen for type 2 diabetes.

The glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test shows the average level of blood sugar over the past two to three months. People who have diabetes usually have this test to see whether their blood sugar levels have been staying within a target range. This test is also used to diagnose type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is often used to diagnose diabetes because no fasting or any preparation is required.

Endocrinologists at the City of Hope's Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute (Duarte, CA, USA) included 9,000 adults without a diabetes diagnosis in a new study. The participants got both an HbA1c test and an oral tolerance glucose test, and the team compared the results. They found the HbA1c test did not catch 73% of diabetes cases that were detected by the oral glucose test. They found race and ethnicity had a significant impact on the accuracy of HbA1c. It was more likely to detect abnormal glucose levels in non-Hispanic whites than in non-Hispanic blacks or Hispanics.

Maria Mercedes Chang Villacreses, MD, the lead author of the study, said, “Based on our findings, HbA1c should not be solely used to determine the prevalence of diabetes. It should be used in conjunction with the oral glucose test for increased accuracy. The HbA1c test said some people had normal glucose levels when they didn't. Our results indicated that the prevalence of diabetes and normal glucose tolerance defined solely by HbA1c is highly unreliable, with a significant tendency for underestimation of the prevalence of diabetes and overestimation of normal glucose tolerance.” The study was presented on March 23, 2019, at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting held in New Orleans, LA, USA.

Related Links:
City of Hope's Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute


Gold Member
Quantitative POC Immunoassay Analyzer
EASY READER+
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Celiac Disease Test
Anti-Gliadin IgG ELISA
New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The Volition Nu.Q nucleosome assay runs on the IDS i10 automated analyzer platform (Photo courtesy of VolitionRx)

Groundbreaking Lateral Flow Test Quantifies Nucleosomes in Whole Venous Blood in Minutes

Diagnosing immune disruptions quickly and accurately is crucial in conditions such as sepsis, where timely intervention is critical for patient survival. Traditional testing methods can be slow, expensive,... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: A real-time trial has shown that AI could speed cancer care (Photo courtesy of Campanella, et al., Nature Medicine)

AI Accurately Predicts Genetic Mutations from Routine Pathology Slides for Faster Cancer Care

Current cancer treatment decisions are often guided by genetic testing, which can be expensive, time-consuming, and not always available at leading hospitals. For patients with lung adenocarcinoma, a critical... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.