A1C but not serum glycated albumin is elevated because of iron deficiency in late pregnancy in diabetic women

Diabetes Care. 2010 Mar;33(3):509-11. doi: 10.2337/dc09-1954. Epub 2009 Dec 23.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE We have already reported that A1C is elevated because of iron deficiency in late pregnancy among nondiabetic pregnant women. This report examined whether the same phenomenon is observed in pregnant women with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This longitudinal study was conducted in 17 pregnant women with diabetes (20-35 weeks of pregnancy). A1C, serum glycated albumin, erythrocyte indexes, and iron metabolism indexes were measured. RESULTS A1C levels were significantly increased in late pregnancy, whereas serum glycated albumin showed no significant changes. Glycated albumin/A1C ratio, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, serum transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were significantly decreased in late pregnancy. Serum transferrin saturation showed a significant positive correlation with glycated albumin/A1C ratio. CONCLUSIONS A1C levels, but not serum glycated albumin levels, are elevated in late pregnancy because of iron deficiency in diabetic women. Serum glycated albumin may offer an adequate marker for glycemic control during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / blood*
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / metabolism
  • Diabetes Complications / blood
  • Diabetes Complications / metabolism
  • Diabetes, Gestational / blood*
  • Diabetes, Gestational / metabolism
  • Erythrocyte Count
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism*
  • Glycated Serum Albumin
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced
  • Humans
  • Iron / blood
  • Iron / metabolism
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / blood*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / metabolism
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second / blood
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second / metabolism
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third / blood
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Third / metabolism
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics / blood*
  • Pregnancy in Diabetics / metabolism
  • Serum Albumin / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Glycated Hemoglobin A
  • Glycation End Products, Advanced
  • Serum Albumin
  • hemoglobin A1c protein, human
  • Iron
  • Glycated Serum Albumin