Diabetes mellitus diagnostic criteria
clinical presentation
paraphrased from CKS
- Optional: polydipsia, polyuria, blurred vision, unexplained weight loss, recurrent infections, and tiredness
- Acanthosis nigricans (a skin condition causing dark pigmentation of skin folds, typically the axillae, groin, and neck) suggests insulin resistance
investigations
- HbA1c > 48 (6.5%)
- Random glucose > 11.1 if symptomatic
- If asymptomatic, repeat testing
- Fasting glucose > 7.0
Same thresholds for kids
limitations of HbA1c
- Age <18
- Pregnant women or women who are 2 months postpartum.
- People with symptoms of diabetes for less than 2 months.
- People at high diabetes risk who are acutely ill.
- People taking medication that may cause hyperglycaemia (for example long-term corticosteroid treatment).
- People with acute pancreatic damage, including pancreatic surgery.
- People with end-stage renal disease