Fructosamine

Why this test?

Both fructosamine and glycated hemoglobin tests are needed primarily to monitor blood sugar levels in diabetics. Although the glycosylated hemoglobin test is more common, in some cases where it is difficult to carry out, the fructosamine test can be used very successfully.

Thus, the use of fructosamine analysis is more effective in such cases.

When making sudden changes in the treatment plan for diabetes mellitus, fructosamine allows you to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment correction in a few weeks instead of several months.

During pregnancy of diabetic patients, when significant changes occur in the mother's body, glucose control becomes especially important. The fructosamine test can be performed simultaneously with glucose tests to monitor the level of the latter and to choose the right dose of insulin.

In case of red blood cell loss, the glycated hemoglobin test will not be accurate enough when the patient has hemolytic anemia or blood loss. The presence of some forms of hemoglobin can also affect the methods used to measure it. In such cases, fructosamine is the only indicator that adequately reflects the level of glucose in the blood.

In what cases is it prescribed?

• When it is necessary to monitor changes in the patient's blood glucose level for a period of 2-3 weeks.
• If necessary, to correct the therapy used for diabetes patients, as well as to choose the right diet and a set of medications.
• If a patient with diabetes is pregnant.
• When the patient suffers from a disease that can lead to the changes in insulin and glucose levels in the blood.

Test information

Fructosamine determination is based on the measurement of glycosylated protein. If glucose levels remain elevated for a certain period of time, glucose molecules bind to blood proteins in a process called glycosylation (glycolysis). The higher the blood glucose level is, the greater the amount of glycosylated protein and hemoglobin. Such combined molecules remain in the protein during its life cycle and reflect the average blood glucose level during a certain period.

Since red blood cells live for 120 days, glycosylated hemoglobin reflects the average glucose level during this time. Plasma proteins have a shorter life cycle, approximately 14-21 days. Thus, the level of glycated proteins, which is determined by the fructosamine content, reflects the average glucose level in the patient's blood for a short period of 2-3 weeks.

Keeping blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible helps patients suffering from diabetes to avoid many complications. The necessary control is achieved by testing the level of glucose, as well as monitoring the effectiveness of the therapy with the help of fructosamine or glycosylated hemoglobin analysis.

Fasting before the fructosamine analysis is not necessary, as the amount of glycosylated protein and glucose for the previous 2-3 weeks is determined, so the food that the patient has eaten during the day does not affect the results.