Effect of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Other Clinical Conditions on Hemoglobin A1c Levels

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia in the world, the most common form of malnutrition deficit with a prevalence of 50% affecting the developed countries as well as developing countries with a strong influence on social and economic development. According to current guidelines of the American Diabetes Association (2019.) glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a reflection of the patient's glycemic status in the last three months and is used for monitoring of therapeutic effect as well as for diagnostic purposes. Previous studies have proven that not only iron deficiency anemia but also a range of other clinical conditions can affect the level of HbA1c independent of glycemic status. The exact mechanism of the effect of iron deficiency on glycated hemoglobin levels remains unknown and is still at the hypothesis level. Studies have proven that treatment of iron deficiency anemia leads to better control of HbA1c level, regardless of whether the patient is diabetic or not. A small number of studies have noted a correlation between iron deficiency and levels of glycated hemoglobin, thus further research on larger number of patients is certainly necessary in order to improve the therapeutic possibilities for patients with diabetes, more accurately diagnose and understand the pathophysiology of formation and influence on glycated hemoglobin levels.

Keywords

• iron deficiency anemia
• hemoglobin a1c
• diabetes mellitus