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HbA1C test failed

S

Slugsy

Member
Hi All,
I have been a member here since I was first diagnosed as T2 a couple of years ago. Thanks to the great advice and information, I've so far managed to successfully control my T2 through diet and lifestyle. However, something strange happened a couple of weeks ago with my annual check-up. The blood test results all came back fine, except the HbA1C test failed and I got a message, "Unable to report HbA1c due to sample interference." So I had another test, and that failed too. I got similar feedback, "Unable to report a reliable result due to sample interference. Please use Fructosamine test." So now I have a fructosamine test booked for next week. The lab didn't seem concerned, but I have asked my GP to ask if they know why it happened and whether we should carry out any other tests to get to the bottom of it. It's quite worrying. Has anyone else had this happen or know what might be the cause? Thanks.
 
Slugsy said:
Hi All,
I have been a member here since I was first diagnosed as T2 a couple of years ago. Thanks to the great advice and information, I've so far managed to successfully control my T2 through diet and lifestyle. However, something strange happened a couple of weeks ago with my annual check-up. The blood test results all came back fine, except the HbA1C test failed and I got a message, "Unable to report HbA1c due to sample interference." So I had another test, and that failed too. I got similar feedback, "Unable to report a reliable result due to sample interference. Please use Fructosamine test." So now I have a fructosamine test booked for next week. The lab didn't seem concerned, but I have asked my GP to ask if they know why it happened and whether we should carry out any other tests to get to the bottom of it. It's quite worrying. Has anyone else had this happen or know what might be the cause? Thanks.
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Slugsy, the HbA1c test isn't always reliable for some folks. Examples are those who are anaemic, or have sickle cell disease, or are of Afro-Caribbean heritage.

That's not an exhaustive list, but it could be worthwhile Googling something like "why a fructosamine test", or "HbA1c versus Fructosamine tests".

I haven't done either of those searches, so can't comment any anything specific you might find.
 
DCUKMod said:
Slugsy, the HbA1c test isn't always reliable for some folks. Examples are those who are anaemic, or have sickle cell disease, or are of Afro-Caribbean heritage.

That's not an exhaustive list, but it could be worthwhile Googling something like "why a fructosamine test", or "HbA1c versus Fructosamine tests".

I haven't done either of those searches, so can't comment any anything specific you might find.
Click to expand...
Thanks - will do so.
 
xfieldok said:
I googled your first message, leaving out the reference to fructose.
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Thanks - I tried that and found some technical stuff mentioning some nasty conditions that can give inaccurate results. The only thing I could find that mentioned no results is where there is no HbA due to "homozygous forms of haemoglobin variants (e.g. HbSS)". Think it will need more tests.
 
My own results don't tally - I have readings under 6 after eating, yet my Hba1c pf 42 indicates higher than that on average. As everyone seem happy with my results that is where things are - but they don't add up at all.
 
Resurgam said:
My own results don't tally - I have readings under 6 after eating, yet my Hba1c pf 42 indicates higher than that on average. As everyone seem happy with my results that is where things are - but they don't add up at all.
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What's the percentage range on the meters as I bet they are far from accurate. The values seem close enough
 
I have used four different meters from different makers. To have very consistent BG readings and Hba1c results for so long seems slightly improbable.
 
Resurgam said:
My own results don't tally - I have readings under 6 after eating, yet my Hba1c pf 42 indicates higher than that on average. As everyone seem happy with my results that is where things are - but they don't add up at all.
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Thanks - but my issue isn't about tallying - I've always had no issue with getting results from my HbA1C test previously. But this time it has just failed - no result at all - twice.
 
Resurgam said:
My own results don't tally - I have readings under 6 after eating, yet my Hba1c pf 42 indicates higher than that on average. As everyone seem happy with my results that is where things are - but they don't add up at all.
Click to expand...

I read that being dehydrated can affect the results. Pure conjecture, but I make it a point now to really hydrate by drinking lots of water with a pinch of salt during my fasting
 
Update: Third HbA1c test failed. This time with message "Regrets, unable to obtain result for HbA1c. Please repeat."!!!
Waiting to see if the fructosamine test worked!
 
I had a test marked similar to yours. It wasn't the HbA1c as that came back normally. Everything came back normally apart from a couple of liver enzymes and the lipid panel. My nurse said the blood had probably clotted before these tests were done. It was nothing sinister at all.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
I had a test marked similar to yours. It wasn't the HbA1c as that came back normally. Everything came back normally apart from a couple of liver enzymes and the lipid panel. My nurse said the blood had probably clotted before these tests were done. It was nothing sinister at all.
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Thanks @Bluetit1802 I've got my post-results review with my practice nurse on Monday so I'll put that to her.
 
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