Effect of iron deficiency anemia on glycation of hemoglobin in non-diabetics.

Introduction: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is commonly used for monitoring glycemic control and as predictor of diabetes complications. Recently, HbA1c has also been recommended as a diagnostic test for diabetes mellitus by the American Diabetes Association. Materials and Methods: About 63 non-diabetic, anemic patients, and 63 age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Results: The mean HbA1c (6.13% ± 0.6%) level in the patients with iron defi ciency anemia (IDA) was higher than that in the control group (5.12% ± 0.5%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: It was found that IDA was common among the reproductive age group women. It was associated with shift in the HbA1c levels to higher side, primarily between 6.0% and 6.5%.