Glycated Hemoglobin, Plasma Glucose, and Erythrocyte Aging

Abstract

Background: The relationship between HbA1c and blood glucose averages has been characterized many times, yet, a unifying, mechanistic description is still lacking. Methods: We calculated the level of HbA1c from plasma glucose averages based solely on the in vivo rate of hemoglobin glycation, and the different turnover rates for erythrocytes of different ages. These calculations were then compared to the measured change of HbA1c due to changes in mean blood glucose (MBG), to complex models in the literature, and our own experiments. Results: Analysis of data on erythrocyte ageing patterns revealed that 2 separate RBC turnover mechanisms seem to be present. We calculated the mean red blood cell (RBC) life span within individuals to lie between 60 and 95 days. Comparison of expected HbA1c levels to data taken from continuous glucose monitors and finger-stick MBG yielded good agreement (r =.87, P