HbA1c converter tool launched by NPS

NPS MedicineWise has launched a new online HbA_1c converter tool to help people with diabetes understand changes to the way their HbA_1c test results are reported in Australia.

NPS clinical adviser Dr Danielle Stowasser says that some people with diabetes who are used to tracking their HbA_1c levels might have noticed that the units for measuring this test have changed, with the numbers looking different from what they were before.

“Rather than seeing results as a percentage, they are now reported in millimoles per mole (mmol/mol) — for example, a result of 7% will also appear as 53 mmol/mol. This is simply a different way of reporting the same HbA_1c result,” says Dr Stowasser.

“It might be confusing for people at first, so health professionals are encouraged to explain to patients that the new way of reporting the units will not mean any changes to the way they are tested, their HbA_1c target, or how often they will need to be tested.

“A little bit like changing from miles per hour to kilometres per hour, it will take some getting used to, but the good thing is the change will bring us into line with international standards for reporting.”

The new online NPS unit converter is a simple tool that converts HbA_1c percentages into mmol/mol, and vice versa. The tool has been built so that it can easily be embedded in other websites, and interested organisations are welcome to do so.

Importantly, people need to be reminded that the new unit changes won’t affect how they manage their diabetes.

“As usual, health professionals should continue to talk regularly to their patients with diabetes about their HbA_1c target, how often they should have the test, and what they can do to reach their target,” says Dr Stowasser.

Until July 2013, HbA_1c results will be reported as both a percentage and ‘mmol/mol’. After this date, however, results will only be reported as ‘mmol/mol’. The unit changeover means Australia will now be in line with the way HbA_1c results are reported in other countries around the world.

The HbA_1c unit converter is hosted on the NPS MedicineWise Type 2 Diabetes consumer information hub, which also contains information about what HbA_1c is, what the test shows, the change in reporting units, and what this change means for people with diabetes.

To access the HbA_1c converter tool, go to www.nps.org.au/unitconverter

For more information for consumers about monitoring blood glucose in type 2 diabetes, visit www.nps.org.au/type2diabetes/monitoring