Investigations for type 2 diabetes mellitus

Investigations are important to diagnose the diabetes and to identify the type of the diabetes as well. Aims of investigations are;
1. to confirm the disease
2. to detect the glycemic control over a period
3. to detect complications
4. to assess the severity of the disease
5. to detect associated conditions

Tests to confirm the disease

1. Fasting blood sugar; this is the basic and the simplest method of diagnosing diabetes.
2. Random blood sugar

the diagnosis is made when the health care provider discovers either fasting plasma glucose (FPG) greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL on 2 occasions or random glucose greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL and classic symptoms of diabetes mellitus (ie, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss).

Tests to detect glycemic control

Glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) measurement is the popular method which is used to determine the glycemic control over a period of 3 months.

Tests to detect complications

1. ECG and Echocardiogram
2. urine micro albumin
3. serum electrolyte and blood urea
4. funduscopy

Tests to assess the severity

1. blood sugar level
2. HbA1C

Tests to detect associated conditions

1. Lipid profile
2. thyroxin level