Which laboratory finding supports long-term glycemic control in a diabetic dog?

Which laboratory finding supports long-term glycemic control in a diabetic dog?

• A. Persistent fasting hyperglycemia
• B. Elevated fructosamine
• C. Elevated ALT
• D. Decreased fructosamine

Answer: (B)

Fructosamine is formed when glucose attaches to circulating proteins, so its level reflects the average blood glucose over the past roughly 2–3 weeks. In dogs with diabetes, this test is used to gauge long-term glycemic exposure and how well glucose has been controlled over that timeframe. A higher fructosamine value means glucose has been elevated on average during those weeks, indicating poorer long-term control, while values in the reference range suggest adequate control. The other options don’t track long-term glucose (persistent fasting hyperglycemia is a current snapshot; ALT is a liver enzyme unrelated to glycemic control; decreased fructosamine would indicate lower average glucose). Thus, fructosamine is the lab that reflects long-term glycemic status.

Fructosamine is formed when glucose attaches to circulating proteins, so its level reflects the average blood glucose over the past roughly 2–3 weeks. In dogs with diabetes, this test is used to gauge long-term glycemic exposure and how well glucose has been controlled over that timeframe. A higher fructosamine value means glucose has been elevated on average during those weeks, indicating poorer long-term control, while values in the reference range suggest adequate control. The other options don’t track long-term glucose (persistent fasting hyperglycemia is a current snapshot; ALT is a liver enzyme unrelated to glycemic control; decreased fructosamine would indicate lower average glucose). Thus, fructosamine is the lab that reflects long-term glycemic status.