Why HbA1c Might Not Always Show the Right Blood Sugar Level
Challenges and Limitations of HbA1c as a Surrogate Marker in Assessing Glycemic Control: A Critical Review
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Doctors usually use a test called HbA1c to see how well someone’s blood sugar has been controlled over time. But this test can be wrong if the person’s body makes red blood cells differently or has other health issues.
Surprising Findings
HbA1c can be elevated even in people with normal blood glucose due to prolonged red blood cell lifespan.
Most people assume HbA1c directly reflects average blood sugar, but this shows it can be high even without poor control — leading to potential misdiagnosis.
Practical Takeaways
If you have diabetes and your HbA1c doesn’t match how you feel or your daily glucose readings, talk to your doctor about other factors that might be affecting it.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Doctors usually use a test called HbA1c to see how well someone’s blood sugar has been controlled over time. But this test can be wrong if the person’s body makes red blood cells differently or has other health issues.
Surprising Findings
HbA1c can be elevated even in people with normal blood glucose due to prolonged red blood cell lifespan.
Most people assume HbA1c directly reflects average blood sugar, but this shows it can be high even without poor control — leading to potential misdiagnosis.
Practical Takeaways
If you have diabetes and your HbA1c doesn’t match how you feel or your daily glucose readings, talk to your doctor about other factors that might be affecting it.
Publication
Journal
Dijlah Journal of Medical Sciences P-ISSN:3078-3178, E-ISSN:3078-8625
Year
2025
Authors
I. Salman, K. Gharab, L. Ghannawi, Baydaa Ahmed Abed
Related Content
Claims (4)
HbA1c might show high blood sugar even in people who actually have normal levels, because some people's red blood cells live longer than usual.
Doctors usually rely on the HbA1c blood test to see how well someone with diabetes has managed their blood sugar over time — but some experts are starting to question if it’s always accurate for everyone.
HbA1c might not give a true picture of blood sugar control in people with diabetes because things like how often blood sugar swings, different ethnic backgrounds, and other health problems can affect the results.
Sometimes, blood sugar tests that don’t use HbA1c might give a better picture of how well someone’s diabetes is managed—especially if things like blood disorders or other health issues make the standard HbA1c test less reliable.