Investigation of diabetes

Blood glucose is so closely controlled by the body that even small deviations become important.

In symptomatic patients:

• A single elevated blood glucose of > 11.1mmol/L indicates diabetes

In asymptomatic patients or mildly symptomatic patients, diagnosis is made on:

• At least 1 (preferably 2) FBG levels > 6.7mmol/L (the equivalent FPG is 7.8mmol/L)

OR

• At least 1 (preferably 2) random values > 10mmol/L in venous whole blood (or > 11.1mmol/L in venous plasma)

Glucose tolerance test:

This is reserved for true borderline cases.

Urine analysis:

• Glycosuria is measured using sensitive glucose-specific dipstick methods.
• Glycosuria is NOT diagnostic of diabetes but indicates the need for further investigations