NSH: Why not report eAG?

Conceptually, converting an HbA1c result to the equivalent "average glucose”concentration might help our understanding and interpretation of HbA1c. A largeinternational study recently producedaverage glucose values (eAG) for HbA1c from continuous glucose monitoring and capillary self-blood glucose measurements and HbA1c.

However, the study was carried out in a restricted population and issues have been raised about the study design. In addition, eAG will have limited applicability to the majority of patients who do not measure their own blood glucose levels and in some patients, the estimates may be inaccurate enough to be misleading. It has been agreed in the UK that eAG results will not be reported at the moment. Research into the applicability and utility of eAG to a wider range of people with diabetes is on-going and welcomed.