Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose values have been found to be not totally representative of daily mean blood glucose concentration. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) can be used as a supplemental monitoring device in the management and control of the diabetic patient. A pilot study on HbA1c was performed on a severe insulin dependent diabetic who had fasting glucose levels of 200-400 mg/dl over a six month period. The experimental data indicates that for every 10 mg/dl increase in glucose level, there is a corresponding increase in HbA1c of about .35%. Rate of formation of HbA1c depends on blood glucose concentration and is a slow continuous non-enzymatic process occurring during the normal 120 life span of the red blood cell. As such, it can be a useful monitoring tool.

 

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