Background: Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1C) is a reliable diagnostic marker to measure the blood glucose control among the diabetes patients and it also reveals the glucose levels for the past three months. Worldwide, Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is most prevalent anaemic type and contrasting report exists on HbA1C levels in anaemic patients. In this backdrop, the present study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of HbAIC level in IDA subjects with normal blood glucose level. 

Methods: A 100 IDA patients with normal blood glucose levels and 100 healthy controls was selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patient’s demographics details were collected and biochemical measurements such as HbA1C, red blood cell indices, serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity was estimated using standard methods. The comparison between the control and anaemic cases was done using student t test. Pearson’s correlation was done to study the assicaition between the variables. Results: Mean Hb is decreased in anaemic patients as compared to the controls. Further, HbA1C level was increased in anaemic cases as compared to the controls and it was found to be significant (p<0.001). Further, the serum iron and ferritin was decreased and TIBC level was increased in anaemic cases as compared to the controls (p<0.001). Pearson’s correlation analysis reveals the significant association between Hb and HbA1C levels in anaemic cases ((R=0.632; P=0.000). 

Conclusion:  Increased HbAIC levels in iron deficiency anaemia patients was not depend on the blood sugar levels and proper interpretation is required in these patients.

Keywords: Iron deficiency anaemia, glycated haemoglobin, ferritin, Normoglycemic.

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Dr M. Senthilvelan

Professor and Head of Department, Department of General Medicine, Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu, India