Chronically transfused patients with increased hemoglobin Alc secondary to donor blood

In an attempt to detect early evidence of hemochromatosis-induced diabetes mellitus, hemoglobin Alc (Hgb Alc) levels were determined in four patients treated with chronic transfusions. All four were found to have significantly elevated Hgb Alc levels on several occasions. On further investigation, it was discovered that elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin were present in donor blood stored in dextrose solutions, thus leading to a higher level in the recipients. Hemoglobin Alc levels appear to be unreliable in patients receiving large amounts of transfused blood.