The Endocrine Society Supports The American Diabetes Association's

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Endocrinology
Article Date: 21 Jan 2010 - 10:00 PDT

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The Endocrine Society released a statement supporting the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) new clinical practice recommendations adding the use of the A1C blood test to the traditional tests that use blood sugar measurements in the diagnosis of diabetes and pre-diabetes.

The A1C measures the percentage of hemoglobin (the main component of red blood cells) in the blood that is glycated/has glucose attached to it. The A1C is currently the main blood test used in the management of diabetes because it reflects the average blood sugar levels for the previous two to three months. Now, the A1C can also be used as a diagnostic tool.

"We commend the ADA for establishing this new criterion for clinicians to use in diagnosis," said Robert A. Vigersky, president of The Endocrine Society. "Both the Society and the ADA agree that using A1C as a diagnostic tool can make it easier for patients to find out if they have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Unlike fasting blood sugar and oral glucose tolerance tests, the A1C may be more convenient for patients since it can be done at the time of a routine office visit because it does not require fasting."

While the Society supports the use of A1C measurement as an option, it suggests that the fasting blood sugar and oral glucose tolerance tests should continue to be used for diagnosis in people with type 1 diabetes, in pediatrics and in pregnancy. In addition, there are a number of clinical conditions in which A1C and average blood glucose do not correlate well and alternative diagnostic tools should be used.

The Society recommends that patients and physicians work together to determine the best avenue for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, pre-diabetes and other endocrine-related conditions. To review the Society's complete statement on the use of A1C for diabetes diagnosis and risk estimation, visit here.

Source
The Endocrine Society

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