EDTA is the only suitable specimen type for this test. A separate EDTA specimen for HbA1c testing is preferred.
GENERAL NOTES
APPLICATION: Diabetes mellitus: monitoring of glycaemia over previous 3 months.
INTERPRETATION: The result reflects the average glucose concentration over the life of the red cells. Levels will be lower than appropriate for the degree of diabetic control in the presence of reticulocytosis or increased RBC turnover. In such patients, fructosamine is the preferred assay.