Diabetes is diagnosed on the basis of history (ie polyuria, polydipsia and unexplained weight loss) in addition to a random venous plasma glucose concentration >= 11.1 mmol/l OR a fasting plasma glucose concentration >= 7.0 mmol/l (whole blood >= 6.1 mmol/l) OR 2 hour plasma glucose concentration >= 11.1 mmol/l 2 hours after 75g anhydrous glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
With no symptoms diagnosis should not be based on a single glucose determination but requires confirmatory plasma venous determination. At least one additional glucose test result on another day with a value in the diabetic range is essential, either fasting, from a random sample or from the two hour post glucose load. If the fasting or random values are …show more content…
Immediate referral to a Paediatric Diabetes Team should not be delayed. A diagnosis should never be made on the basis of glycosuria or a stick reading of finger prick blood glucose alone, although such tests may be useful for screening purposes. HBA1C measurement is also not currently recommended for the diagnosis of diabetes. (18) HbA1c occurs when haemoglobin joins with glucose in the blood. Haemoglobin molecules make up the red blood cells in the blood stream. When glucose sticks to these molecules it forms a glycoslated haemoglobin molecule, also known as A1c and HbA1c. The more glucose found in the blood, the more haemoglobin will be present. (18) Due to the fact that red blood cells survive for 8-12 weeks before renewal, by measuring HbA1c, an average blood glucose reading can be returned. For non-diabetics, the usual reading is 4-5.9%. For people with diabetes, an HbA1c level of 6.5% is considered good control, although some people may prefer their numbers to be closer to that of non-diabetics. People at greater risk of hypoglycaemia may be given a target HbA1c of 7.5%.
With no symptoms diagnosis should not be based on a single glucose determination but requires confirmatory plasma venous determination. At least one additional glucose test result on another day with a value in the diabetic range is essential, either fasting, from a random sample or from the two hour post glucose load. If the fasting or random values are …show more content…
Immediate referral to a Paediatric Diabetes Team should not be delayed. A diagnosis should never be made on the basis of glycosuria or a stick reading of finger prick blood glucose alone, although such tests may be useful for screening purposes. HBA1C measurement is also not currently recommended for the diagnosis of diabetes. (18) HbA1c occurs when haemoglobin joins with glucose in the blood. Haemoglobin molecules make up the red blood cells in the blood stream. When glucose sticks to these molecules it forms a glycoslated haemoglobin molecule, also known as A1c and HbA1c. The more glucose found in the blood, the more haemoglobin will be present. (18) Due to the fact that red blood cells survive for 8-12 weeks before renewal, by measuring HbA1c, an average blood glucose reading can be returned. For non-diabetics, the usual reading is 4-5.9%. For people with diabetes, an HbA1c level of 6.5% is considered good control, although some people may prefer their numbers to be closer to that of non-diabetics. People at greater risk of hypoglycaemia may be given a target HbA1c of 7.5%.