Table 1.

Characteristics of the analytical methods for hemoglobin A1c measurement

Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Ion exchange chromatography	DCCT method, high reproducibility	Lack of specificity; interference from hemoglobinopathies and HbF
Capillary electrophoresis	High reproducibility; specificity	Time-consuming, costly
Boronate affinity chromatography	Minimal interference from hemoglobinopathies	Analyte-related unspecificity (total GHb)
Immunoassay	Specificity	Some interference from HbF

DCCT: Diabetes Control and Complications Trial; HbF: Fetal hemoglobin; GHb: Total glycated hemoglobin.