Fructosamine Test.

Also known as Glycated Serum Protein (GSP) or Glycated Albumin

Though similar to the Glycohaemoglobin and HgA1C tests, this measures the amount of sugars attached to proteins other than haemoglobin, such as albumin.

Fructosamine is the name given to these protein/glucose molecules.

So why do this test instead of a HgA1C test?

Fructosamine has a shorter life span than haemoglobin.

So if you want to know what your average glucose levels were over the last couple of weeks as opposed to the last 3 months this is the test to use.

It sort of falls between your own home BG monitoring and the HgA1C. It is very useful if you are trying different things to get control and want to know if these changes are working or not.

It can also be used as a confirmation test eg. Fructosamine tests can verify your self-test BG results and also blood test results from a lab.

There are certain circumstances when a Fructosamine test may be better than a HgA1C test.

These are:-

1. Patients with red blood cell loss or abnormalities e.g., haemolytic anaemias.
2. When changes in a patient's diabetes management plan need to be evaluated quickly.
3. During pregnancy where the woman's changing glucose levels need to be monitored frequently.
4. To find out why there is a great discrepancy between a patients self tested BG's and the HgA1C results.

Results of test.

Levels less than 31 micromoles per liter (umol/l) show good control.
Levels greater than 380 umol/l show poor control.

Factors which can cause inaccurate results:-

1. Vitamin C
2. High amount of fats in the blood (Hyperlipidemia)
3. Hemolysis (premature breakdown of the red blood cells)
4. Changes in protein levels.
5. Body weight. Higher weight equals lower test results, and vice versa.
6. Liver disease.
7. Hyperthyroidism (where the thyroid gland produces excess hormones)

A meter, manufactured by LXN Corp. of San Diego, allowed you to do Fructosamine tests at home. It was called the Duet, because it does both fructosamine and blood glucose, using different test strips.

However LifeScan bought LXN in 2002 and Duet meters plus all other products were discontinued.

You can read more about this meter's history at Mendosa.com.

Back to top

The content of this site is presented for informational purposes only, and is not in any way or form intended to replace the advice of your medical professional. Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. No reproduction without permission.