Endocrinology & Diabetes HbA1c

Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Quantitative determination of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from dried blood spot. Performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ion exchange on a Bio-Rad D-10 system.

Quick Reference
Method
HPLC
Sample Types
DBS
Analytes

1 analyte (NGSP %)

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What does this test assess?

This method enables accurate measurement of glycated hemoglobin A1c fraction from capillary blood collected on a dried blood spot card, providing a reliable indicator of average blood glucose levels over the preceding 2–3 months.

Clinical indications include:

  • Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Identification of patients at risk of developing diabetes (pre-diabetes)
  • Monitoring long-term glycaemic control in diabetic patients
  • Assessment of treatment efficacy and therapeutic adjustments
  • Population screening in remote or resource-limited settings via DBS
  • Epidemiological studies on diabetes prevalence

Measured analytes

Analyte / GroupComponentsClinical Significance
Hemoglobin A1c HbA1c (NGSP %) Glycated fraction of hemoglobin reflecting average blood glucose concentration over 2–3 months; used for diabetes diagnosis and glycaemic monitoring
Note

HbA1c is quantified from a single dried blood spot using HPLC with ion exchange, providing high specificity and robust performance. Results are reported as NGSP (%) values.

About HbA1c

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is formed by the non-enzymatic attachment of glucose to the N-terminal valine of the hemoglobin beta chain. Because red blood cells have an average lifespan of approximately 120 days, HbA1c provides a weighted average of blood glucose concentrations over the preceding 2–3 months, making it the gold-standard biomarker for long-term glycaemic control.

< 5.7%

Normal range (non-diabetic)

5.7 – 6.4%

Pre-diabetes (increased risk)

≥ 6.5%

Diagnostic threshold for diabetes

Unlike fasting glucose or oral glucose tolerance tests, HbA1c does not require fasting and is less affected by day-to-day variability, acute illness, or stress. This makes it particularly well-suited for population screening, especially when combined with DBS sampling for remote or at-home collection.

DBS advantage for HbA1c

Dried blood spot collection offers a significant practical advantage for HbA1c testing. A simple fingerprick sample collected on a TFN card (Ahlstrom-Munksjö) can be posted to the laboratory at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for venepuncture, cold-chain logistics, or clinic visits. This approach is especially valuable for remote monitoring of diabetic patients, large-scale screening programmes, and clinical trials.

Clinical applications
! Diabetes diagnosis (type 1 and type 2)
! Pre-diabetes risk identification
! Glycaemic control monitoring
! Treatment efficacy assessment
! Remote patient monitoring via DBS
! Epidemiological screening programmes

Analytical technique

Testing is performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ion exchange on a Bio-Rad D-10 system. Capillary blood is collected on dried blood spot cards and the extract is analysed to determine the HbA1c fraction as a percentage (NGSP). The method has been clinically validated in-house with documented accuracy, precision, and method-comparison data against reference standards.

Sample information

This method is performed on dried blood spot (DBS) samples collected via fingerprick. Samples can be posted to the laboratory at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for venepuncture, cold-chain logistics, or clinic visits.

Literature

  1. American Diabetes Association. “Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes.” Diabetes Care, 2024, 47(Suppl 1):S20-S42.
  2. Nathan DM, et al. “Translating the A1C assay into estimated average glucose values.” Diabetes Care, 2008, 31(8):1473-1478. 10.2337/dc08-0545
  3. World Health Organization. “Use of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.” WHO, 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hba1c?

Hba1c is an important biomarker for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Masdiag measures hba1c using validated analytical methods to provide clinically actionable results.

Why is hba1c important?

Hba1c testing is valuable for Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus, Identification of patients at risk of developing diabetes (pre-diabetes). Understanding hba1c levels helps inform personalized health optimization and clinical decision-making.

How is the hba1c sample collected?

Hba1c collection is simple and convenient: prick your finger at home to collect a dried blood spot (DBS). This allows remote sampling without venepuncture.

Who should get a hba1c test?

This test is recommended for individuals interested in diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Masdiag hba1c testing helps guide personalized supplementation and health optimization strategies based on objective biomarker data.

What do hba1c results tell us?

Hba1c results provide insight into your metabolic status and diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Combined with clinical context, Masdiag results inform evidence-based interventions for personalized health optimization.

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