Is there HbA1a or HbA1b as HbA1c and what is their significance?

Answer 1

Yes, there are HbA1a, HbA1b, as well as HbA1c. The coding breakdown is given below.

When hemoglobin is exposed to higher than normal levels of glucose over time (blood sugar) it binds with it, this is called glycation. And since the normal life span of red blood cells is about 120 days, glycated hemoglobin can be used to assess the average level of blood sugar during the preceding three months of the test.

Hb - Hemoglobin

HbA - Adult hemogolbin (as contrasted to fetal hemoglobin, HbF)

HbA0 - non-glycated hemoglobin.

HbA1 - glycated hemoglobin

HbA1a1 - Glycation with Fructose 1, 6 diphosphate

HbA1a2 - Glycation with Glucose 6 phosphate

HbA1b - Glycation with an unknown reaction partner

HbA1c - Glycation with D glucose

L HbA1c - denotes the labile HbA1c, or the aldimine fraction

S HbA1c - denotes the stable HbA1c, or the ketoamine fraction.

Answer 2

There is no separate HbA1a or HbA1b; HbA1c refers to glycated hemoglobin. HbA1c is a measure of the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months and is used to monitor long-term blood sugar control in people with Diabetes. High levels of HbA1c indicate poor blood sugar control and an increased risk of diabetes complications.