Early detection and control are fundamental to minimizing long term consequences of diabetes.
Blood tests are helpful in establishing a diagnosis.
In the majority of young people with Type I DM, the diagnosis is immediately apparent with the triad of symptoms (polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia). Many children exhibit critical variations of the disease while others are more stable (Potts & Mandleco, 2007).
Since it is becoming more difficult to determine whether a person has Type I or II, especially in younger populations, specific autoantibodies to islet cells, insulin, and glutamic acid decarboxylase help identify patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes (Klodkowski & Stanley, 2003).
Other specific methods for diagnosis are:
Blood sugar testing
---random blood sugar (greater than 200 mg/dL along with symptoms suggests DM)
---fasting blood glucose (non-DM should be 70-110 mg/dL; in DM >110 but < 126 mg/dL)
---postprandial glucose (non-DM should be 70-110 mg/dL; in DM >140 mg/dL, but <200 mg/dL)
---oral glucose tolerance test (non DM should return to normal 2-3 hrs, neg. urine glucose; in DM, slow rate to normal, pos. urine glucose)
See Table 51-1 (Timby & Smith, 2013, p. 787) for Diagnostic Tests For Detecting Glucose Intolerance
Blood glucose testing can be performed using a glucometer which is a device that measures capillary blood glucose using a drop of blood taken from a finger stick. This testing can be done at home by the patient using self-monitoring with a simple glucometer so they can track their glucose levels when they are taking an oral hypoglycemic and insulin. Ideal ranges for finger testing are 90-130 mg/dL before meals and <180 mg/dL one to two hours after meals (Timby & Smith, 2013).
It is important to perform frequent blood glucose check on the patient with DM to ensure adequate control in order to prevent complications associated with diabetes.
Urine glucose testing is utilized to detect diabetes early on. Urine dipstick testing for ketones is also available.
*When blood glucose level is elevated or ketones are present in the urine, a fasting blood sugar is performed. A fasting blood sugar (FBS) level equal to or greater than 200 mg/dL is almost certainly diagnostic for diabetes when other signs, i.e. polyuria and weight loss, are present (Klossner & Hatfield, 2010).
Blood tests are helpful in establishing a diagnosis.
In the majority of young people with Type I DM, the diagnosis is immediately apparent with the triad of symptoms (polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia). Many children exhibit critical variations of the disease while others are more stable (Potts & Mandleco, 2007).
Since it is becoming more difficult to determine whether a person has Type I or II, especially in younger populations, specific autoantibodies to islet cells, insulin, and glutamic acid decarboxylase help identify patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes (Klodkowski & Stanley, 2003).
Other specific methods for diagnosis are:
Blood sugar testing
---random blood sugar (greater than 200 mg/dL along with symptoms suggests DM)
---fasting blood glucose (non-DM should be 70-110 mg/dL; in DM >110 but < 126 mg/dL)
---postprandial glucose (non-DM should be 70-110 mg/dL; in DM >140 mg/dL, but <200 mg/dL)
---oral glucose tolerance test (non DM should return to normal 2-3 hrs, neg. urine glucose; in DM, slow rate to normal, pos. urine glucose)
See Table 51-1 (Timby & Smith, 2013, p. 787) for Diagnostic Tests For Detecting Glucose Intolerance
Blood glucose testing can be performed using a glucometer which is a device that measures capillary blood glucose using a drop of blood taken from a finger stick. This testing can be done at home by the patient using self-monitoring with a simple glucometer so they can track their glucose levels when they are taking an oral hypoglycemic and insulin. Ideal ranges for finger testing are 90-130 mg/dL before meals and <180 mg/dL one to two hours after meals (Timby & Smith, 2013).
It is important to perform frequent blood glucose check on the patient with DM to ensure adequate control in order to prevent complications associated with diabetes.
Urine glucose testing is utilized to detect diabetes early on. Urine dipstick testing for ketones is also available.
*When blood glucose level is elevated or ketones are present in the urine, a fasting blood sugar is performed. A fasting blood sugar (FBS) level equal to or greater than 200 mg/dL is almost certainly diagnostic for diabetes when other signs, i.e. polyuria and weight loss, are present (Klossner & Hatfield, 2010).
Glycosylated Hemoglobin
A hemoglobin A1c test measures the amount of glucose stored in the hemoglobin molecule during its life span of 120 days. In normal levels, the glycosylated hemoglobin levels are less than 7%. The American Diabetes Association has determined that "a hemoglobin A1c of 7% is the equivalent of an average blood glucose level of 150 mg/dL" (Timby & Smith, 2013, p. 786). So, any amount greater than 7% indicates that the control of a person's glucose level not controlled or inadequately treated for the past 2-3 months. Additionally, this test is a good indicator of whether a patient has been compliant with treatment.
A hemoglobin A1c test measures the amount of glucose stored in the hemoglobin molecule during its life span of 120 days. In normal levels, the glycosylated hemoglobin levels are less than 7%. The American Diabetes Association has determined that "a hemoglobin A1c of 7% is the equivalent of an average blood glucose level of 150 mg/dL" (Timby & Smith, 2013, p. 786). So, any amount greater than 7% indicates that the control of a person's glucose level not controlled or inadequately treated for the past 2-3 months. Additionally, this test is a good indicator of whether a patient has been compliant with treatment.
Additional Reading:
Technology used to decrease incidence of Type II: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/810874
Technology used to decrease incidence of Type II: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/810874