Hi there does anyone have information about blood transfusion and iron tablets affecting Hba1c tests? I had my first test just 5 weeks after a blood transfusion and had not long stopped taking iron tablets. I was on iron tabs for about 1 month. In fact this was how I came to have my Hba1c. Had general test to see why I was was still fatigued so got re-tested for thyroid, iron and glucose. This test, post Xmas, indicated diabetes so then had 2 fasting tests which put me at prediabetes. A more recent Hba1c (after Easter) showed a reduction on 1st test but still right on border. I am going to have glucose tolerance test on Tues. Guess this will confirm one way or another. I have absolutely no symptoms but can't help but feel the trauma of my surgery end of November, the hormone treatment I was on has affected my glucose tolerance. On Patrick Holford low GL and exercising every day.
Anyone know if blood transfusion and iron tablets can affect Hba1c?
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phoenix
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The short answer is yes. ( whether up or down is less easy to answer)
"Iron deficiency anemia, a major public health problem in developing countries, is associated with higher HbA1c and higher fructosamine Consistent with these observations, iron replacement therapy lowers both HbA1c and fructosamine concentrations in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals"
http://www.ngsp.org/factors.asp
"Recent blood transfusion can cause an artificially low hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Options for follow-up include monitoring home blood sugar readings; checking a fructosamine (glycosylated albumin) level, which reflects blood sugar control over the previous couple of weeks and is unaffected by transfusion; or waiting to recheck HbA1c after three months."
http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/advisor-forum/post-transfusion-hba1c/article/117686/
Stress during illness and surgery can raise glucose levels for a time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_hyperglycemia
"Iron deficiency anemia, a major public health problem in developing countries, is associated with higher HbA1c and higher fructosamine Consistent with these observations, iron replacement therapy lowers both HbA1c and fructosamine concentrations in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals"
http://www.ngsp.org/factors.asp
"Recent blood transfusion can cause an artificially low hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Options for follow-up include monitoring home blood sugar readings; checking a fructosamine (glycosylated albumin) level, which reflects blood sugar control over the previous couple of weeks and is unaffected by transfusion; or waiting to recheck HbA1c after three months."
http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/advisor-forum/post-transfusion-hba1c/article/117686/
Stress during illness and surgery can raise glucose levels for a time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_hyperglycemia
Thanks. That is useful to know as I hope that now 6 months on from surgery things will settle down and I can get these raised levels under control.
PatsyB
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Just had two iron infusions at two week intervals and both times it sent my temperature up and my blood pressure down 
...but afterwards all returned to normal ....as normal that is I am. ..unsure about the levels though as am up and down like a yoyo arghhh
...but afterwards all returned to normal ....as normal that is I am. ..unsure about the levels though as am up and down like a yoyo arghhh