title: Understanding the new HbA1c units for the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.
abstract: In New Zealand laboratories the measurement of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) for diagnosis of diabetes is now only reported in SI units of mmol/mol. HbA1c is now recommended as the preferred test to diagnose diabetes in most circumstances. The requirement for a second positive test in asymptomatic individuals is retained. An HbA1c greater than and equal to 50 mmol/mol (repeated on a second occasion in asymptomatic patients) is diagnostic of diabetes and a value less than and equal to 40 mmol/mol represents normal glucose tolerance. For patients with an initial HbA1c result of 41-49 mmol/mol, cardiovascular risk assessment and lifestyle interventions are recommended with repeat HbA1c screening in 6-12 months. For patients whose HbA1c is less than and equal to 40 mmol/mol, repeat screening (including for CVD risk) at intermittent intervals is recommended as per published guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. g.braatvedt@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Geoff D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Braatvedt
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cundy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crooke
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Florkowski
authors.forename: Jim I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lunt
authors.forename: Rod
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Orr-Walker
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kenealy
authors.forename: Paul L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Drury
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007394:International System of Units; D008019:Life Style; D009520:New Zealand; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012015:Reference Standards; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin