Original Research Article DOI: 10.18231/2394-6377.2018.0126 International Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Research, October-December, 2018;5(4):594-598 594 Study of serum ferritin and HbA1c in type 2 diabetes mellitus Shubham J. Gandhi 1 , Aparna S. Chaudhari 2,* , S. A. Pratinidhi 3 , A.N. Sontakke 4 1 Intern, 2 Assistant Professor, 3 Professor, and Head, 4 Ex. Admin Director, Dept. of Biochemistry, Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research, Pune, Maharashtra, India *Corresponding Author: Aparna S. Chaudhari Email: dr.aparna1976@gmail.com Received: 13 th April, 2018 Accepted: 27 th July, 2018 Abstract Introduction: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia which is associated with rise in the HbA1c. Excess iron damages β-cells of pancreas due to oxidative stress which can contribute to pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. Recent research reveals that HbA1c concentration also increases in iron deficiency anemia as well. This fact is hence important as in diabetic patient, the HbA1c may not be only correlated with blood sugar level but also iron status, if the patient happens to be suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Objectives: Correlation of HbA1c and glucose level with serum ferritin. Materials and Methods: A Cross sectional pilot study was conducted in 80 diabetic patients at Central Clinical Laboratory, MIMER Medical College, Talegaon. Result: There was a positive correlation between serum ferritin and Fasting sugar, postprandial sugar, HbA1c. Serum ferritin is significantly related to Fasting Sugar (P value- 0.0028); postprandial sugar (P value- 0.0118) and glycated Haemoglobin (P value-0.0007). P value <0.05 is considered statistically significant. Conclusion: Serum ferritin is elevated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and can be used as a marker for glycemic control in diabetic patients. Keywords: Serum ferritin, Glycated haemoglobin, Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Introduction Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. 1 People with type 2 diabetes mellitus develop characteristic microvascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. There is also increased risk of macrovascular complications such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disease. 2 Approximately 5.1 million people aged between 20 and 79 years died from diabetes ac- counting for 8.4% of global all cause mortality in this age group. 3 In India 65.1 million in the age group of 20 to 79 have diabetes (8.56%) and expected to rise to 109 million by the year 2035. 4 Individuals with (T2DM) show both insulin resistance and beta cell defects. 5 The complications of diabetes mellitus are influenced not only by the duration of the diabetes mellitus but also by the average level of blood glucose along with glycated haemoglobin. 2 HbA1c is currently the investigation of choice in monitoring the treatment of diabetes mellitus. 6 Measurement of HbA1c provides valuable information for management of diabetes mellitus 7 but HbA1c may be affected by a variety of genetic, haematologic and illness-related factors 8 like haemoglobinopathies (depending on the assay employed), certain types of anaemia, and disorders associated with accelerated red cell turnover such as malaria. 7,9 Serum ferritin is an acute phase reactant, and is a marker of iron stores in the body. 10 Iron is a transitional metal that can easily become oxidized and thus act as an oxidant 11 An important role of ferritin during the acute phase response is to restrict the availability of iron by sequestration into the cavity of the ferritin protein shell 12 High body iron stores that is serum ferritin have been linked to insulin resistance, 13,14 metabolic syndrome, 13,15,16 and gestational diabetes. 17,18 Excess iron damages β-cells of pancreas due to oxidative stress which can contribute to pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. 19 In diabetic patient, the HbA1c may not be only correlated with blood sugar level but also iron status if the patient happens to be suffering from iron deficiency anemia. 20 serum ferritin level had a relationship with hyperglycemia and its level decreased with lowering of serum blood glucose. 21 This study hence proposes to study iron status in diabetes mellitus and correlate the same with HbA1c and blood sugar level. Objectives 1. Estimation of Serum ferritin as iron status. 2. Fasting and Post-prandial blood sugar level as glucose status. 3. Estimation of HbA1c as a index of glycation. 4. Correlation of Serum ferritin with HbA1c and glucose. Materials and Methods A Cross sectional pilot study was conducted at MIMER Medical College Talegaon and Dr. Bhausaheb Sardesai Rural Hospital Talegaon Dabhade, (Tertiary