Challenges in Estimation of Glycated Hemoglobin in India

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the most widely accepted index of long-term glycemic control. However, there are some clinical situations that make the accurate measurement of HbA1c difficult. Although some of these situations are general, others are more specific to some parts of the world like India. These conditions include hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemias and structural hemoglobin (Hb) variants such as HbS and HbD, as well as iron-deficiency anemia and the use of certain drugs. Because of the relatively frequent occurrence of some of these conditions in some parts of India, it is important that they are looked for when evaluating an inappropriately high or low HbA1c level. Alternative indices may have to be used for assessing glycemic control in these cases.