Serum fructosamine

Overview

• Glycosylated protein complexes.
• Forms in blood in a non-enzymic, non-insulin-dependent manner.
• [Fructosamine] proportional to [glucose] over life-span of protein (1-2 weeks).
• Provides long-term view of average blood glucose.
• Less affected by short-term factors: stress, feeding, exercise.

Uses

Alone

• Monitor response to insulin therapy in treated diabetic animals.

In combination

• Differentiates hyperglycemic, non-diabetic animals from true diabetics .
• Useful in diagnosis of diabetes and to monitor response to therapy.

Result data

Normal (reference) values

• Diabetes mellitus:
  • <400 mmol/l = good control.
  • >500 mmol/l in newly diagnosed cases or where poor control of diabetes mellitus .
• Insulinoma :
  • Decreased [fructosamine]: <250-350 mmol/l.

Errors and Artifacts

• Hemolysis.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

• Haberer B & Reusch C E (1998) Glycated haemoglobin in various pathological conditions: investigations based on a new, fully automated method. JSAP 39 (11), 510.
• Thoresen S I & Bredal W P (1996) Clinical usefulness of fructosamine measurements in diagnosing and monitoring feline diabetes mellitus. JSAP 37 , 84-68.
• Reusch C E, Liehs M R, Hoyer M, Vochezer R (1993) Fructosamine - A new parameter for diagnosis and metabolic control in diabetic dogs and cats. JVIM 7 , 177-182.