Top Tips: The Importance of Hemoglobin Variant Detection in HbA1c Testing

Hemoglobin variant detection is important in HbA1c testing because variants can influence A1c results, and detecting their presence helps ensure accurate and reliable HbA1c reporting. Commonly occurring hemoglobin variants are HbS, HbC, HbE, HbD,and elevated fetal hemoglobin (HbF).

These variants can interfere with HbA1c results, depending on the type of method used,which can lead to an HbA1c value that is falsely high, falsely low, or not reportable.Detecting and flagging variants helps the lab with the additional information they need to ensure the reporting of an accurate A1c result. This also helps them with the full context required to select an alternative testing approach when appropriate.

Hemoglobin variants are relatively common in many populations, and individuals are often unaware that they carry a trait. Without variant detection or flagging capability built into the testing method, these interferences may go unnoticed.Not all A1c testing methodologies enable variant detection. Some A1c testing methodologies only provide an A1c number, without any indication of potential variant hemoglobin presence.

The HPLC methodology for A1c testing is a high-resolution separation method that detects commonly occurring variant hemoglobins, thus providing the laboratory with valuable insights into the patient’s hemoglobin profile.

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