Diabetes + primary care

Question 1

What conditions can HbA1c be falsely raised by?

Answer 1

If Anaemia - check Hb count and <70Hb not valid

Methemoglobinemia (MetHb) - not valid

Question 2

Is HbA1c used for diagnosis for type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Answer 2

serum glucose levels are more accurate for how a type 1 diabetic is rather than HbA1c that takes 3 months ….. because they can deteriorate so quickly

Question 3

Most common presentations of undiagnosed diabetes in primary medical care?

Answer 3

Tiredness!!
Weight loss

Recurrent infections (UTIs, thrush)

Dental procedure that is not healing properly

Question 4

What immediate test can you do in GP for suspected diabetes?

Answer 4

urine dipstick checking for:
- ketonuria
- glucose in urine
- proteinurea

Question 5

Patients you would potentially screen for diabetes in a primary care setting?

Answer 5

those with symptoms

patients from a south east asian background - genetics

family history of diabetes

high BMI

Hypertensive patients