Conditions Associated with False Alterations in A1c Level
| False Increase | False Decrease |
|---|---|
| Anemia (in particular those associated with increased red cell turnover) | Anemia (from acute or chronic blood loss) |
| Asplenia | Splenomegaly |
| Uremia | Pregnancy |
| Severe hypertriglyceridemia (typically >1750 mg/dL) | Vitamin E ingestion |
| Severe hyperbilirubinemia (typically >20 mg/dL) | Medications (ribavirin, interferon-alpha) |
| Chronic alcohol consumption | Red blood cell transfusion |
| Chronic salicylate ingestion | Hemoglobin variants (most often with homozygous hemoglobinopathies) |
| Chronic opioid ingestion | Vitamin C ingestion |
| Lead poisoning |
Adapted from Radin, 2013,4 with permission.