Falsely low glycosylated haemoglobin levels probably secondary to hypersplenism in a patient with diabetes mellitus. 2024

Guy Hayakawa, and Maya M Leibowitz, and Sateesh Kumar Nagumantry, and Samson Oghenetsovwe Oyibo
Diabetes and Endocrinology, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, Peterborough, UK.

A man in his 70s presented with a history of low glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values despite a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. His blood glucose readings ranged between 8 and 15 mmol/L, but his HbA1c values were below 27 mmol/mol. Initial investigations demonstrated evidence of reduced red blood cell lifespan as a cause of misleadingly low HbA1c values. Further investigation revealed chronic liver disease and splenomegaly, with hypersplenism being the probable cause of increased red blood cell turnover. HbA1c estimation was no longer reliable, so ongoing diabetic care was guided by home capillary blood glucose monitoring. Healthcare providers and clinical laboratorians need to be aware of the possible clinical implications of very low HbA1c values in patients with type 2 diabetes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006971 Hypersplenism Condition characterized by splenomegaly, some reduction in the number of circulating blood cells in the presence of a normal or hyperactive bone marrow, and the potential for reversal by splenectomy. Anemia, Splenic,Anemias, Splenic,Splenic Anemia,Splenic Anemias
D008297 Male Males
D001786 Blood Glucose Glucose in blood. Blood Sugar,Glucose, Blood,Sugar, Blood
D003924 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 A subclass of DIABETES MELLITUS that is not INSULIN-responsive or dependent (NIDDM). It is characterized initially by INSULIN RESISTANCE and HYPERINSULINEMIA; and eventually by GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE; HYPERGLYCEMIA; and overt diabetes. Type II diabetes mellitus is no longer considered a disease exclusively found in adults. Patients seldom develop KETOSIS but often exhibit OBESITY. Diabetes Mellitus, Adult-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis-Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow-Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Stable,MODY,Maturity-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,NIDDM,Diabetes Mellitus, Non Insulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Noninsulin-Dependent,Diabetes Mellitus, Type II,Maturity-Onset Diabetes,Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Type 2 Diabetes,Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Diabetes Mellitus, Adult Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Ketosis Resistant,Diabetes Mellitus, Maturity Onset,Diabetes Mellitus, Slow Onset,Diabetes, Maturity-Onset,Diabetes, Type 2,Ketosis-Resistant Diabetes Mellitus,Maturity Onset Diabetes,Maturity Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus,Slow-Onset Diabetes Mellitus,Stable Diabetes Mellitus
D006442 Glycated Hemoglobin Products of non-enzymatic reactions between GLUCOSE and HEMOGLOBIN (occurring as a minor fraction of the hemoglobin of ERYTHROCYTES.) It generally refers to glycated HEMOGLOBIN A. Hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) is hemoglobin A with GLYCATION on a terminal VALINE of the beta chain. Glycated hemoglobin A is used as an index of the average blood sugar level over a lifetime of erythrocytes. Fructated Hemoglobins,Glycohemoglobin,Glycohemoglobin A,Glycohemoglobins,Glycosylated Hemoglobin A,Hb A1c,HbA1,Hemoglobin A(1),Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated,Glycated Hemoglobin A,Glycated Hemoglobin A1c,Glycated Hemoglobins,Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1c,Hb A1,Hb A1a+b,Hb A1a-1,Hb A1a-2,Hb A1b,Hemoglobin, Glycated A1a-2,Hemoglobin, Glycated A1b,Hemoglobin, Glycosylated,Hemoglobin, Glycosylated A1a-1,Hemoglobin, Glycosylated A1b,A1a-1 Hemoglobin, Glycosylated,A1a-2 Hemoglobin, Glycated,A1b Hemoglobin, Glycated,A1b Hemoglobin, Glycosylated,Glycated A1a-2 Hemoglobin,Glycated A1b Hemoglobin,Glycosylated A1a-1 Hemoglobin,Glycosylated A1b Hemoglobin,Glycosylated Hemoglobin,Hemoglobin A, Glycated,Hemoglobin A1c, Glycated,Hemoglobin A1c, Glycosylated,Hemoglobin, Glycated,Hemoglobin, Glycated A1a 2,Hemoglobin, Glycosylated A1a 1,Hemoglobins, Fructated,Hemoglobins, Glycated
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015190 Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring Self evaluation of whole blood glucose levels outside the clinical laboratory. A digital or battery-operated reflectance meter may be used. It has wide application in controlling unstable insulin-dependent diabetes. Blood Sugar Self-Monitoring,Home Blood Glucose Monitoring,Monitoring, Home Blood Glucose,Self-Monitoring, Blood Glucose,Glucose, Blood, Self Monitoring,Glucose, Blood, Self-Monitoring,Blood Glucose Self Monitoring,Blood Glucose Self-Monitorings,Blood Sugar Self Monitoring,Blood Sugar Self-Monitorings,Glucose Self-Monitoring, Blood,Glucose Self-Monitorings, Blood,Self Monitoring, Blood Glucose,Self-Monitoring, Blood Sugar,Self-Monitorings, Blood Glucose,Self-Monitorings, Blood Sugar,Sugar Self-Monitoring, Blood,Sugar Self-Monitorings, Blood

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