Date: November 13, 2026 | 1:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST
Duration: 1 Hour
Credits: 1
Presenter: William E. Winter, MD
Sponsor: Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
Cost: Free
This webinar, which will include case studies, will educate laboratorians on the essential information that is required to optimally measure and utilize hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patient management.
HbA1c is the fundamental and indispensable metric that forecasts the development of diabetes, diagnoses diabetes, and predicts the development of diabetic complications. HbA1c depends on the patient’s average glycemia and the average lifespan of their red blood cells (RBCs). In diabetes management, HbA1c and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) are complementary technologies that each play vital roles in glycemic monitoring. However, only reductions in HbA1c have been proven in clinical trials (e.g., the DCCT and UKPDS) to reduce the frequency of microvascular and neuropathic complications. Better glycemic control is also associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease. While a superior measure of long-term glycemia, HbA1c measurements can be subject to significant interferences that the laboratorian and the clinician should recognize to properly utilize the test. Therefore, the selection of the HbA1c methodology that is used in the laboratory is extremely important. The choice of HbA1c methodology will determine, for example, if the laboratorian can detect hemoglobinopathies. Only charge-based separation methods can ensure that HbA is present in the patient’s RBCs. If HbA is not present, HbA1c cannot exist. Structural-based methods (e.g., immunoassays, enzymatic assays and boronate affinity chromatography) cannot detect hemoglobinopathies. Lastly, if HbA1c should not be measured (or cannot be measured), the laboratorian will be empowered to advise clinicians on alternative measurements of glycemia. Enroll now!
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Educate clinicians that HbA1c is a critical and elementary metric of glycemia.
- Choose HbA1c methodologies that can recognize potential hemoglobinopathies.
- Advise clinicians on alternative measurements of glycemia when HbA1c should not be measured.
About the Presenter
A native of San Francisco, Dr. Winter attended Santa Clara University majoring in chemistry. He received his MD from Loyola University of Chicago. Following a pediatric residency (University of Kentucky) and fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology (University of Florida, UF), Dr. Winter joined UF’s pathology department. Dr. Winter holds boards in pediatrics, pediatric endocrinology, chemical pathology, and clinical chemistry. He is a CAP and ADLM fellow. Dr. Winter served as Medical Director for Clinical Chemistry, Medical Director for Clinical Laboratory Support Services, and Medical Director for Point-of-Care testing. He directed the pathology residency program and directed many medical school courses. Prior to retiring as an Emeritus Professor, Dr. Winter was the principal investigator for the core laboratories for 3 NIH-funded grants: [1] the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet study, [2] TEDDY (including IASP) and [3] the Rare and Atypical Diabetes Network (RADIANT).
Supported in part through an unrestricted educational grant by:
Course Content
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- Course Certificate
Medical Laboratory Observer (MLO) is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Passing scores of 70 percent or higher are eligible for 1 contact hour of P.A.C.E. credit. This test is no longer valid for CEs after November 12, 2027.
