Correct understanding of the influence of hemoglobin variants on the glycated hemoglobin value

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the golden biomarker for clinical evaluation of long-term glycemic control, and also an important basis to guide adjustments to therapy. In recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) and many national diabetes societies have recommended HbA1c as the preferred indicator for the diagnosis of diabetes. Hemoglobin variants are one of the factors affecting HbA1c values. On the one hand, they affect the results of HbA1c by interfering with some HbA1c detection methods, on the other hand, they affect the correct interpretation of HbA1c results by changing the life span of red blood cells and (or)the hemoglobin glycation rate. Key words: Glycated hemoglobin; Hemoglobin variant; Life span of red blood cells; Hemoglobin glycation rate