Correlation of fasting blood glucose and haemoglobin A(1c) measured with an automated analyser

A subtype of glycohaemoglobin, haemoglobin (Hb) A(1c), in specimens of whole blood was assayed on a new automated analyser that makes use of high-pressure liquid chromatography. The analyser provided precise and reproducible values. The mean of the HbA(1c) values was lower than that with an older instrument. The mean tended to increase with the age of the subjects, who were undergoing routine health examinations. No sex difference was found. When measurement was made 1 h after the subjects drank 50g of glucose, the value of HbA(1c) was unaffected. Correlation was strong between the HbA(1c) value and the fasting blood glucose value, which suggested that fasting blood glucose could be estimated from the HbA(1c) value.