Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Analysis

Is haemoglobin A1c a step forward for diagnosing diabetes?

BMJ 2009; 339 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b4432 (Published 10 November 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b4432

Rapid Response:

HbA1C is a one dimensional measure

HbA1C is a one dimensional linear measure. The standard oral glucose
tolerance test has two dimensions, that is fasting glucose and two hour
glucose.
A one dimensional descriptor cannot describe a two dimensional entity
because it contains less information and therefore HbA1C cannot replace
the oral glucose tolerance test.

Competing interests:
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

06 December 2009
John G Vernon
GP
John Tasker House, 56 New St Dunmow Essex CM6 3LU