Abstract: The invention provides a system for quantitative measurement of percent glycated hemoglobin as hemoglobin A1c in whole blood having extended shelf life at room temperature. The system comprising a blood dilution solution and a device adapted for receiving at least a portion of diluted blood solution, for contacting the blood solution with a dry reagent system, for detecting a change in the reagent system and for providing an indication of the analytical result to the user, and the extended shelf life and the elimination of a requirement for refrigeration for storage is achieved by having the blood dilution solution which comprises a first surfactant for hemolysis and a second surfactant for stability. The system of this invention is useful in other analysis kits and systems as well.

Abstract: Methods for quantitatively measuring the amount of an analyte of interest in a fluid sample are disclosed. The methods involve providing a membrane having an application point, a detection zone, and a contact region, where the contact region is between the application point and the detection zone, and has test particles and internal control particles imbedded within it; contacting the application point with the fluid sample; maintaining the membrane under conditions sufficient to allow fluid to transport analyte by capillary action to the contact region, where the analyte binds to the test particles; further maintaining the membrane under conditions sufficient to allow fluid to transport analyte-bound test particles and internal control particles to the detection zone, where they interact with a detection reagent; and detecting the amount of test particles and the amount of internal control particles in the detection zone.