Fructosamine is a blood test that measures the average blood glucose levels over a shorter period than HbA1c, typically reflecting blood sugar control over the past 2 to 3 weeks. It is an important marker for monitoring diabetes and can be used when HbA1c results are not reliable, such as in cases of anemia or certain conditions that affect red blood cells.
What it measures: The test measures the binding of glucose to proteins, mainly albumin. When glucose levels are elevated, more glucose binds to proteins, forming fructosamine. This gives an indication of the average blood sugar levels over a shorter time frame (2–3 weeks), compared to HbA1c, which reflects the past 2–3 months.