Comparison between colorimetric and column chromatographic methods for the determination of glycosylated hemoglobin

Abstract

We reported a study on glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) determined by colorimetry (TBA method) and column chromatography in 82 diabetics and normal subjects. There was a good correlation between the GHb values measured by both methods (r = 0.879). An equation was derived from the curve and used to convert GHb by colorimetry in μmol/l HMF to percentage of total hemoglobin. In another group of 36 normal subject and 190 diabetics, GHb concentrations were determined by the colorimetric method and expressed as percentage of total hemoglobin. The mean GHb values of these 36 normal Thai subjects, 20 untreated diabetics, 70 diabetics on insulin therapy and 100 diabetics on oral hypoglycemic agents were 6.64, 14.01, 13.59 and 11.70 per cent respectively. All diabetics had a significantly higher mean GHb value compared to normal subjects. The patients on oral hypoglycemic agents had a significantly lower GHb concentration when compared to untreated and insulin requiring diabetics. From our experience, GHb determination by this colorimetric method expressed as percentage of total hemoglobin is accurate, convenient to standardize and inexpensive, and therefore it is a suitable procedure for GHb measurement.