The Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test result is a long-term diabetes management tool that provides the average blood glucose over a period of several months and is typically reported as a percentage (e.g., 7%).1 HbA1c does not, however, provide the amount of glucose in the blood right at the time of sample collection and should therefore be used in conjunction with patients’ daily monitoring of their blood-glucose levels.2
Now there is a new way to report HbA1c results called estimated average glucose (eAG), which is closer to the results reported by patients’ glucose meters. The American Diabetes Association has endorsed a formula that can be used to convert HbA1c results into an eAG value that is then reported in the same units - mg/dL - used by a glucose meter. Sharing the eAG result with patients may be more favorable since it uses a familiar unit of measure and may help them better monitor their glycemic control.
Siemens’ DCA Vantage® Analyzer is one of the first point-of-care diabetes analyzers available that can provide the eAG test result,* in addition to the HbA1c result, allowing for easier discussion and adjustment of the disease management program during the office visit.