The influence of aging on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was used as a marker of transient increases in plasma glucose over the preceding 8 to 12 weeks in 48 nondiabetics between the ages of 50 and 89 years. A major finding is the lack of any significant differences in fasting plasma glucose with age, whereas HbA1c differed significantly between the age groups 50 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 to 89 years. The lowest values, 6.9 +/- .48%, were found among the youngest age group, whereas the highest, 8.62 +/- .28%, were found in those 80 to 89 years of age.