News-At-A-Glance: Estimation of HbA1c for Diabetic Patients

Labs may find their volume of HbA1c testing drops as methods for calculating glycemic control over time improve. An article published May 6 on LabMedica.com describes a data-based model that accurately estimates HbA1c from self-monitored blood glucose readings. The computational demands of the tracking algorithm are not so difficult that they can’t be readily incorporated into devices used for monitoring glucose levels like a home glucometer. One of the main problems with diabetic patients is to get them to comply with their treatment regimens, including diet restrictions and regular testing to determine glycemic control. A noninvasive procedure like a running HbA1c value can help motivate diabetic patients to better comply with their treatment regimens. While the article clearly states that the calculated method should not be used in place of periodic HbA1c tests performed in a laboratory or doctor’s office, patients may see it differently if the calculation and the actual test results compare favorably and the patients have an aversion to having their blood drawn.