Diabetes Mellitus

Question 1

What is C protein

Answer 1

Connect pro-insulin molecules 
Exocytosed into general circulation with insulin 
Excreted in urine 
No biological function 
Measure of insulin levels

Question 2

Symptoms

Answer 2

Weight loss
Tiredness 
Polyuria 
Thirst 
Blurred Vision 
Hyperglycaemic coma

Question 3

How do we diagnose diabetes

Answer 3

Random glucose (11.1)
Fasting glucose (7.0) 
HbA1c = indication of prevailing glucose (6.5%)

Question 4

What do you not test and why

Answer 4

Urine test = unreliable as glucose threshold changes

Insulin = changes all the time

Question 5

What do you know about type 1

• Onset
• Causes
• Signs
• Treatment

Answer 5

Onset = av. 12yrs 
Causes = Inflammation of beta cells. Absolute insulin deficiency. Autoimmune 
Signs = Ketone breath, usually slim 
Treatment = insulin injections

Question 6

What do you know about type 2

• Onset
• Causes
• Signs
• Treatment

Answer 6

Onset = >40yrs 
Causes = Insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency. Eating xs sugar. Genetic predisposition 
Signs = Obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia 
Treatment = lifestyle + drugs

Question 7

What are the complications of diabetes

Answer 7

Macrovascular = stroke, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease
Microvascular = Eyes (retinopathy), kidneys, nerves.
Smaller blood vessels in eyes prone to block. If burst = sudden blindness
Gangrene if infection: blood cannot get to site due to blockage