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The levels of long-term blood sugar, HbA1c, can be used to accurately determine the risk of a person with type 1 diabetes developing eye- and kidney complications. A study has shown that this level should be lower than 53 mmol/mol (7%). The study has followed individuals for more than 30 years after the onset of type 1 diabetes. People with diabetes may experience damage to the small blood vessels in various organs. The reasons for this are unclear, but it has been known that good control of blood sugar levels reduces the risk of complications. It has, however, not been...

The way that diabetes is diagnosed in the United States is about to change. Later this year, an expert panel organized by the American Diabetes Association will issue a report making blood level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) an accepted method for diagnosing diabetes, according to staffers from the ADA. Although the decision is not yet finalized, “the group will likely recommend [HbA1c] as the preferred test,” placing it above the current diagnostic standard (the fasting blood glucose level) and also above the historic criterion for diabetes diagnosis (the glucose tolerance test), said Dr. Sue Kirkman, the ADA's vice president for...