carb misc Questions Answered
ADA cutoffs for HbA1c ≥6.5% = diabetes, 5.7-6.4% = prediabetes, <5.7% = normal
ADA Cutoffs for Prediabetes FPG 100-125, OGTT 140-199, HbA1c 5.7-6.4%
ADA Diagnostic Cutoffs for Diabetes FPG ≥126 mg/dL, Random ≥200 mg/dL (with symptoms), 2-hr OGTT ≥200
mg/dL, HbA1c ≥6.5%
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - 2-hr OGTT ≥200 mg/dL
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - FPG ≥126 mg/dL
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - HbA1c ≥6.5%
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - Random ≥200 mg/dL (with symptoms)
glucose
ADA treatment goal for HbA1c <7% (individualized)
ADA treatment goal for HbA1c in diabetics <7% (individualized)
1
, carb misc Questions Answered
Advantage of the hexokinase method Highly specific, reference method
Alternatives to HbA1c When Unreliable Fructosamine (2-3 weeks), glycated albumin, continuous glucose monitoring
(CGM)
Anticoagulant that prevents glycolysis Sodium fluoride (inhibits enolase); best = citrate buffer + fluoride + EDTA
Anticoagulant used in grey-top tubes for glucose Sodium fluoride (inhibits glycolysis)
Calculating a dilution correction Final result = measured result × dilution factor
Carbohydrate Digestion Polysaccharides → disaccharides (amylase) → monosaccharides
(disaccharidases); absorbed via transporters in the small intestine
Carbohydrate Epimers Stereoisomers that differ in configuration at a single carbon (e.g., glucose vs.
galactose)
Causes of hyperglycemia Diabetes mellitus, Cushing's, hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis, steroid therapy
2
ADA cutoffs for HbA1c ≥6.5% = diabetes, 5.7-6.4% = prediabetes, <5.7% = normal
ADA Cutoffs for Prediabetes FPG 100-125, OGTT 140-199, HbA1c 5.7-6.4%
ADA Diagnostic Cutoffs for Diabetes FPG ≥126 mg/dL, Random ≥200 mg/dL (with symptoms), 2-hr OGTT ≥200
mg/dL, HbA1c ≥6.5%
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - 2-hr OGTT ≥200 mg/dL
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - FPG ≥126 mg/dL
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - HbA1c ≥6.5%
ADA diagnostic cutoffs for diabetes - Random ≥200 mg/dL (with symptoms)
glucose
ADA treatment goal for HbA1c <7% (individualized)
ADA treatment goal for HbA1c in diabetics <7% (individualized)
1
, carb misc Questions Answered
Advantage of the hexokinase method Highly specific, reference method
Alternatives to HbA1c When Unreliable Fructosamine (2-3 weeks), glycated albumin, continuous glucose monitoring
(CGM)
Anticoagulant that prevents glycolysis Sodium fluoride (inhibits enolase); best = citrate buffer + fluoride + EDTA
Anticoagulant used in grey-top tubes for glucose Sodium fluoride (inhibits glycolysis)
Calculating a dilution correction Final result = measured result × dilution factor
Carbohydrate Digestion Polysaccharides → disaccharides (amylase) → monosaccharides
(disaccharidases); absorbed via transporters in the small intestine
Carbohydrate Epimers Stereoisomers that differ in configuration at a single carbon (e.g., glucose vs.
galactose)
Causes of hyperglycemia Diabetes mellitus, Cushing's, hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis, steroid therapy
2
