Is HbA1c useful for Wechseljahre?

HbA1c is a well-established biomarker reflecting average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months, primarily used for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. During menopause (perimenopause and postmenopause), declining estrogen and progesterone levels often alter insulin sensitivity, increasing the risk of metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, HbA1c can be useful in this life stage to monitor glucose metabolism – especially in women with risk factors like obesity or family history of diabetes. However, HbA1c is not a specific menopause test. The evidence for its utility in menopause comes from observational studies, not from randomized controlled trials specifically addressing this question. Additionally, factors like anemia (common during perimenopause) or kidney function can affect HbA1c values. The DNA tests mentioned in the context – for skin glycation or collagen – have no direct relevance to HbA1c. In summary: HbA1c is a reasonable but not menopause-specific marker; relying solely on genetic risk assessment does not replace regular blood glucose monitoring.