Abstract

Worldwide, measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA_1c) is the mainstay for monitoring long-term glycaemic control in people with diabetes mellitus. However, until recently there was no internationally agreed standard for measuring and reporting HbA_1c levels. There is now an international standard for HbA_1c, agreed by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), and from 1 June 2009 all UK laboratories began reporting HbA_1c in the new units according to this standard. Here we explain the rationale behind this change.