HbA1c measures glycated hemoglobin
HbA1c measures glycated hemoglobin. Since red blood cells have about a 120 day life span, HbA1c reflects the mean glucose concentration of the patient for the previous months. Thus, HbA1c is a widely used biomarker in the management of diabetes. It provides information on monitoring long-term glycemic control and an assessment of the risk of developing complications.
HbA1c is defined as the hemoglobin A which is irreversibly glycated at one or both N-terminal valines of the beta chain.