Correlation between serum ferritin and glycated hemoglobin in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background and aim Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) provides an integrated measure of glycemia which is less susceptible to short-term modulation than blood glucose levels. Also, it helps to keep track of diabetic therapy within individuals suffering from diabetes. We aimed to detect the correlation between serum ferritin and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and methods A case–control study was performed on 50 diabetic patients and 35 healthy controls from the same age group. Were selected from those attending Al-Azhar University Hospital in Assiut city, Assiut governorate, Egypt. Laboratory investigations were done including complete blood count, liver function tests, kidney function tests, cholesterol, triglyceride, blood glucose, HbA1c, and ferritin. Results There was no significant difference between case and control groups as regards demographic data ( P >0.05). There was no significant difference between cases and control groups as regards Hb, red blood cells, kidney function tests, liver function tests, and lipid profile ( P >0.05). At the same time, Blood glucose, HbA1c, and Serum Ferritin levels were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group ( P <0.05). Correlation between Blood glucose and HbA1c with Serum ferritin in diabetic patients shows no significance ( P >0.05). Conclusion Serum ferritin levels are higher in T2DM patients than in healthy ones. So, it seems that ferritin may have a role in the pathogenesis of T2DM. However, there is no correlation between serum ferritin and HbA1c in diabetic patients.