Diabetes - Fructosamine
Fructosamine (glycated protein) has been identified as an early indicator of diabetic control compared to other markers such as HbA1c. RBCs live for approximately 120 days, HbA1c represents the average blood glucose levels for the previous 2 to 3 months. Conversely, fructosamine has a shorter lifespan, of about 14 to 21 days, reflecting average blood glucose levels from the previous 2 to 3 weeks.
Fructosamine testing has been identified as being the best for patient care as HbA1c results can be inconclusive for several reasons. Genetic, haematological and disease-related factors negatively impact HbA1c levels, with low levels observed in late stage chronic kidney disease, conditions that shorten the lifespan of erythrocytes such as haemolytic anaemia, and in certain haemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease.
- In gestational diabetes, fructosamine should be tested as HbA1c levels are difficult to interpret as HbA1c integrates glycaemia over the lifespan of the erythrocyte. Therefore, HbA1c is relatively insensitive to short term changes. Consequently, HbA1c testing isn’t suitable in the monitoring of the effects of changes in medication. Fructosamine is a medium-term marker (shorter life span) and is a much more suitable test.
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Diabetes
- Randox
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Fructosamine
