Glycated hemoglobin: assay methods and problems of standardization
Gillery, P.; Guillemin, C.; Delpech, M.
Annales de Biologie Clinique 52(3): 157-163
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-3898 PMID: 7998670 Document Number: 430523
Glycated hemoglobin can be assayed by methods using different principles, whose performances vary and are difficult to control. The most widely used techniques measure either specifically glycated A-1c hemoglobin (HbA-1c) or total glycated hemoglobin. They are reviewed in detail in this paper and standardization problems due to the absence of reference materials and methods are discussed. HbA-1c seems to be considered the most significant parameter for monitoring diabetic control. Standardization of the assays, calibrated with reference to this parameter, could be performed provided there is strict control of the methods performance.