Source The telegraph India
A panel of senior doctors and diabetes specialists has cautioned against the over-reliance on the HbA1c test for diagnosing diabetes, warning that the widely used blood test may not always provide an accurate picture of a patient’s condition.
The advisory, issued by a leading medical body, highlights that while HbA1c remains a convenient and commonly preferred test, it has significant limitations that can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed detection of diabetes in certain individuals. The panel stressed that HbA1c should not be used as the sole diagnostic tool and must be interpreted alongside other clinical findings and tests.
HbA1c measures the average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months and is often favored because it does not require fasting. However, experts pointed out that the test can be influenced by several factors, including anemia, hemoglobin disorders, kidney disease, pregnancy, and recent blood loss. In such cases, HbA1c readings may either understate or overstate actual blood sugar levels.
Doctors on the panel also noted that HbA1c may be less reliable in diagnosing diabetes among certain ethnic groups and in individuals with rapidly changing glucose levels. This raises concerns, especially in countries with diverse populations and a high burden of diabetes.
The panel recommended that fasting plasma glucose (FPG) tests, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), and random blood sugar measurements should be used in conjunction with HbA1c, particularly when test results do not match clinical symptoms. They emphasized the importance of individualized assessment rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Medical experts urged clinicians to remain vigilant and avoid treating HbA1c as a “standalone gold standard.” They also called for greater awareness among patients, advising them to consult their doctors about the most appropriate tests based on their health profile.
The warning comes amid rising global diabetes cases, underscoring the need for accurate and timely diagnosis to prevent complications and ensure effective management of the disease.
