1,5-Anhydroglucitol Unit Converter

1,5-Anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) is a naturally occurring monosaccharide that is structurally almost identical to glucose. It circulates in the blood at stable levels and is metabolically inert, meaning the body does not break it down or use it for energy.

1,5-AG serves as an inverse marker of short-term blood sugar control over the preceding 1-2 weeks. When blood glucose stays below the renal threshold of approximately 180 mg/dL, the kidneys reabsorb more than 99.9% of filtered 1,5-AG and serum levels remain high. When glucose rises above that threshold, it competes with 1,5-AG for reabsorption, causing 1,5-AG to spill into the urine and serum levels to drop.

Unlike HbA1c, which reflects average glucose over 2-3 months, 1,5-AG is especially sensitive to postprandial glucose spikes and can detect glycemic changes within days. A low 1,5-AG level indicates recent episodes of hyperglycemia, while a high level reflects stable glucose control.

Obtained primarily through food, particularly soybeans, rice, pasta, fish, and vegetables. A small amount is synthesized from glucose in the body. The kidneys maintain stable blood levels by reabsorbing more than 99.9% of filtered 1,5-AG under normal conditions.