A simple microchromatographic column for determination of hemoglobins A1a + b and A1c

A simple microchromatographic homemade column was devised for the measurement of glycosylated minor hemoglobin fractions. The mean and one standard deviation of hemoglobins A1a + b, A1c and A1a + b + c determined by the homemade column in 150 nondiabetic controls and 56 juvenile onset insulin-dependent diabetics were 2.6 +/- 0.5%, 6.0 +/- 1.0%, 8.6 +/- 1.1%, 3.3 +/- 0.9%, 13.7 +/- 2.2% and 16.9 +/- 2.8% respectively. A twofold increase in hemoglobins A1c and A1a + b + c levels was observed in the diabetics as compared to the non-diabetic controls suggesting that the homemade column is valid for the measurement of all three glycosylated hemoglobin fractions and assessment of blood glucose control in diabetic patients. The homemade column procedure yields accurate and reproducible results, is simple to perform, inexpensive, relatively rapid and may be used in the routine clinical laboratory. Hemoglobin A1a + b + c levels measured by a commercial column in 35 non-diabetic controls and in 56 diabetics showed good correlation (R = 0.91) with hemoglobin A1a + b + c levels determined by the homemade column. The commercial column is valid for the measurement of the combined glycosylated hemoglobin A1a + b + c fraction and may be used in the routine clinical laboratory to assess diabetic control.