Diabetes mellitus is a major global public health concern among non-communicable diseases. Monitoring glycemic status is essential for managing diabetes, with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) being the most commonly used marker. HbA1c reflects average blood glucose over the preceding three months, but it responds slowly to changes in glucose metabolism. HbA1c formation involves non-enzymatic glycation, producing both a stable form (SA1c) and a reversible intermediate known as labile HbA1c (LA1c). LA1c reflects acute glucose fluctuations within the past few hours, making it a potential marker for short-term glycemic monitoring.

Most HbA1c measurements focus only on the stable form, while LA1c is often overlooked. However, LA1c is not affected by red blood cell lifespan and can provide additional insights when SA1c and plasma glucose levels are contradictory. This study aims to evaluate the utility of LA1c in assessing current glycemic status.

An observational cross-sectional study will be conducted on 1000 patients prescribed HbA1c and random plasma glucose tests. Data will be collected from automated analyzers and analyzed using SPSS software. Understanding the correlation between LA1c and glycemic status may improve short-term monitoring, assess treatment responses in newly diagnosed diabetics, and offer valuable insights in complex clinical scenarios where traditional markers fall short.