Characterization of Samples with Minor P3 Peak Elevations in a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography System for HbA1c: Contributions of Hemoglobin Variants and Storage Conditions.

Minor elevations of the P3 peak were due only in part to hemoglobin variants, particularly in samples with P3 above 17% (below 28.2%). These elevations caused a decrease in HbA1c, whether hemoglobin variants are detected or not. Prolonged storage at room temperature did not cause P3 peaks to increase above 10%.