Change to reporting of HbA1c
From 1 June 2009, the way in which HbA1c results are reported in the UK is changing. This
leaflet explains why and how this will happen.
What is HbA1c?
Glucose in the blood sticks to haemoglobin in red blood cells, making glycosolated
haemoglobin, called haemoglobin A1c or HbA1c. The more glucose in your blood, the
more HbA1c will be present, so the level reported will be higher. The HbA1c gives a
measure of what your average blood glucose level has been in the previous 2-3 months.
What does it tell us?
The better your blood glucose control the less chance there is of you developing diabetes
complications such as eye, kidney or nerve damage, heart disease or stroke.
Red blood cells live for about 8 – 12 weeks before being replaced so the HbA1c test tells
you what your blood glucose has been over the past few months and whether you are on
target to keep your risk of complications as low as possible.
Why measure it?
Because blood glucose levels vary throughout the day and from day to day, HbA1c is usually
measuredevery 2-6 months. The results show if your blood glucose control has altered in response
to changes inyour diet, physical activity or medication.
What are the current HbA1c results and targets?
The HbA1c results are currently given as a percentage. For most people with diabetes, the
current HbA1c target is below 6.5%. However, you should have agreed your own individual
target with your health care team, as sometimes a different target might be more appropriate.
For example, if you have had a lo of problems with low blood glucose levels(hypos),
a higher target might be appropriate.
What is changing?
Laboratories in the UK are about to change the way in which the HbA1c results are reported.
The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) has put forward a new reference
measurement method after discussion with diabetes groups worldwide.
This will make comparing HbA1c results from different laboratories and from research trials
throughoutthe world much easier
What are the new HbA1c results?
The way the results will be given is very different from the old results, but the test will
still give you the same basic information about what your glucose control has been over the
last 2-3 months. The measurement will be in millimoles per mol (mmol/mol) instead of percentage (%)
Here is how the new results compare:
Current HbA1c New HbA1c
(%) (mmol/mol)
6.0 42
6.5 48
7.0 53
7.5 59
8.0 64
9.0 75
How will the targets change?
The equivalent of the current HbA1c target of 6.5 % is a new HbA1c target of 48 mmol/mol.
(see the table above).
When will this happen?
The new units for HbA1c are obviously very different from those currently in use. Everyone
will need time to become familiar with the new units, and how they compare with the current result.
So from 1 June 2009, all HbA1c results in the UK will be given in the current HbA1c %and in
the new HbA1c units mmol/mol. This dual reporting will continue until 31 May 2011.
So for example, the report of your HbA1c result might read:
Old HbA1c 6.9%
New HbA1c 51 mmol/mol
The fact that the number is higher does not mean there is more glucose in your
blood. It is just a different way of expressing the same thing.
When is the changeover to only new units?
From 1 June 2011, results will be given only asthe new HbA1c in mmol/mol.
If you have any questions or concerns about this please contact the
Diabetes UK Careline: 0845 120 2960 or
visit www.diabetes.org.uk