Randox Laboratories provides a HbA1c test for routine monitoring of diabetics or at-risk people to prevent long-term complications from the disease.
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, whose main function is to carry oxygen through the bloodstream.
When glucose levels rise in the bloodstream, some of this permanently binds to haemoglobin, forming glycated haemoglobin, known as A1c (HbA1c).
Red blood cells persist in the bloodstream for two to three months, so the level of HbA1c provides a guide to the long-term blood glucose levels of the patient being tested.
Randox also offers glucose tests for daily monitoring and fructosamine monitoring tests for medium term (every two to three weeks).
High levels of HbA1c can indicate poor treatment compliance and an increased risk of complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and eye disease, so levels must be closely monitored in diabetic patients to provide the best possible treatment.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that those with diabetes should have their HbA1c levels tested at least twice a year and more if levels rise above seven per cent.
Randox said that its HbA1c test is suitable for use on whole blood samples and has excellent sensitivity, specificity and precision.
Fully automated protocols are available for over 60 analysers and are suitable for use with Randox's RX series of analysers.
Randox offers a complete product portfolio to test for diabetes and its complications.
