It is a compound, consisting of glucose and a protein. Another name is glycated protein. Glucose molecules permanently combine with a protein. This process is named glycation. These proteins include albumin, the principal protein in the fluid portion of blood. Glucose also binds to hemoglobin, which is also a protein (the major protein inside the red blood cells). The more the glucose is in the blood, the more it binds to proteins. Since the lifespan of a red blood cell is about 120 days, glycated hemoglobin, reflects the average blood glucose for 2-3 months. As serum proteins have a half life of 14-21 days in blood, fructosamine levels reflect the average glucose levels for 2-3 weeks.
Interpretation: Keeping blood glucose levels as close as possible to normal helps managing diabetes complications. If the patient is treated with insulin, everyday monitoring is preferable but the effectiveness of the treatment using the glycated proteins is a better monitorization tool for the clinician.
Sample: Arm Vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: The same day 6:00 PM
