HbA1c: do the latest BG samples count for more?

[Michel]

@oni

As for recent weeks having more impact, I think it is the opposite, according to a paper that came out a couple months ago. The first 30 days of your last 120-day period should account for about 50% of your result. And the last 30 days of the 120 should only account for about 5% of the result.

I would be surprised to find a study stating this conclusion:

• the HbA1c measures glycated hemoglobin, which is found in red blood cells.

• red blood cells die out over an 8-12 week cycle, using a probability curve for the die-out (likely Gaussian, although I don’t have proof on that)

• a sample of red blood cells for the A1c will therefore count more newer cells than older cells

• therefore, more recent times in the 90-day window will be overemphasized when measuring an A1c (or anything based on red blood cells).

• This is also the understanding presented by every endocrinologist I have ever talked to.

I would need to read a very well researched and documented study if it were to present such a counterintuitive result before believing it I am not even sure that one study would be enough.