Blood Glucose
HbA1c (Glycated haemoglobin) and fructosamine
At least once a year, your doctor should check your long term diabetes control by taking a blood sample from your arm. The most common test is the HbA1c test, which indicates your blood glucose levels for the previous 2–3 months. The HbA1c measures the amount of glucose that is being carried by the red blood cells in the body.
If your red blood cells are affected by for example anaemia, sickle cell anaemia or thalasaemia (all of which involve a lack of or abnormal type of haemoglobin – the oxygen-carrying part) then your doctor may carry out a blood test for fructosamine. Fructosamine gives an average result for the previous 14–21 days.
The target for HbA1c is 6.5 per cent or below since evidence shows that this can reduce the risk of developing diabetic complications eg nerve damage, eye disease, kidney disease and heart disease. Individuals at risk of severe hypoglycaemia should aim for an HbA1c of less than 7.5 per cent. However, any reduction in HbA1c levels (and therefore, any improvement in control), is still considered to have beneficial effects on the onset and progression of complications.
If you normally have a fructosamine test discuss your individual target with your doctor.