Endocrinology- Glucose Flashcards
48 year old woman
Presents with polyuria, polydipsia and fatigue for 4 months
Notably she is having to get up at night 4-5 times to pass urine
He has also more recently been experiencing episodes of blurred vision and dizziness
what do you do next
Next Steps:
Conduct a Focused Clinical Assessment:
Take a thorough medical history, including any family history of diabetes, medications, and lifestyle factors.
Perform a Physical Examination:
Check for signs of dehydration, weight loss, or other relevant findings (e.g., skin changes).
Order Laboratory Tests:
Measure fasting blood glucose levels.
If fasting glucose is ≥126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or random blood glucose is ≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L), confirm with an A1C test.
Check for urinalysis to assess for glucose and ketones in the urine.
Evaluate for Other Causes:
Assess for potential causes of her symptoms, such as renal issues, urinary tract infection, or other endocrine disorders.
Consider Referral:
Depending on the test results, refer her to an endocrinologist for further evaluation and management if diabetes is confirmed.
Diagnosis of Diabetes
FPG ≥7.0 mmol/L
Fasting = no caloric intake for at least 8 hours
or
Random PG ≥11.1 mmol/L
or
HbA1C ≥6.5% (in adults)
or
2hPG in a 75-g OGTT ≥11.1 mmol/L
If there are no symptoms
In the absence of symptoms
diagnosis must be confirmed by repeat testing on a different day
What is impaired fasting glucose (IFG)?
Impaired fasting glucose is a prediabetic state defined by fasting plasma glucose levels between 6.1 – 6.9 mmol/L.
What are the criteria for diagnosing impaired fasting glucose?
The criteria for diagnosing IFG is a fasting plasma glucose level of 6.1 – 6.9 mmol/L.
What is impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)?
Impaired glucose tolerance is a prediabetic state characterized by elevated glucose levels during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
What are the criteria for diagnosing impaired glucose tolerance?
The criteria for diagnosing IGT is a 2-hour post-OGTT plasma glucose level between 7.8 – 11.0 mmol/L.
What are other indicators of prediabetes?
Other indicators include an HbA1C level between 5.7% and 6.4%.
Why are prediabetic states important to identify?
Identifying prediabetic states is crucial because they indicate an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and related complications. Early intervention can help prevent or delay progression to diabetes.
What are some management strategies for prediabetes?
Management strategies include lifestyle modifications such as:
Weight loss (if overweight)
Increased physical activity
Healthy dietary changes (e.g., reduced sugar and refined carbohydrates)
What are the main classifications of diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
Other specific types (e.g., genetic forms, drug-induced diabetes)
What is Type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. It typically presents in childhood or young adulthood.
What are the key features of Type 1 diabetes
Usually diagnosed in children or young adults
Symptoms often include polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, and fatigue
Requires insulin therapy for management
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency, often associated with obesity and sedentary lifestyle. It typically occurs in adults but is increasingly seen in children and adolescents.
What are the key features of Type 2 diabetes?
Commonly diagnosed in adults, particularly over age 45
Symptoms may be less pronounced than in Type 1
Can often be managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications, and may require insulin in advanced cases
What is gestational diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, typically diagnosed through screening tests. It is characterized by glucose intolerance that develops or is first recognized during pregnancy.
What are the key features of gestational diabetes?
Usually diagnosed in the second or third trimester
May resolve after delivery, but increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life
Requires monitoring of blood glucose levels and management to ensure healthy pregnancy outcomes
What are some other types of diabetes?
Other types of diabetes include:
Genetic forms of diabetes (e.g., MODY, neonatal diabetes)
Drug-induced diabetes (e.g., due to glucocorticoids, antipsychotics)
Rare diseases such as pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
What are the major risk factors for Type 2 diabetes?
Obesity or being overweight
Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity)
Age (risk increases with age, particularly after 45)
How does family history contribute to diabetes risk?
A family history of diabetes increases the risk due to genetic predisposition and shared lifestyle factors. Individuals with a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with diabetes are at higher risk.
What comorbid conditions are associated with an increased risk of diabetes?
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid levels)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
History of gestational diabetes
What hormonal factors can increase diabetes risk?
Insulin resistance associated with conditions like acromegaly or Cushing’s syndrome
Hormonal changes during pregnancy that may lead to gestational diabetes
What are microvascular complications of diabetes?
Microvascular complications arise from damage to small blood vessels and include:
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic nephropathy
Diabetic neuropathy
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition characterized by damage to the retina’s blood vessels due to prolonged high blood glucose levels, leading to vision impairment or blindness.
What is diabetic nephropathy?
Diabetic nephropathy is kidney damage caused by diabetes, often leading to proteinuria, decreased kidney function, and potentially end-stage renal disease.
What is diabetic neuropathy?
Diabetic neuropathy refers to nerve damage due to diabetes, which can cause symptoms such as pain, tingling, and numbness, particularly in the feet and hands.
What are macrovascular complications of diabetes?
Macrovascular complications involve damage to large blood vessels and include:
Cardiovascular disease (e.g., ischemic heart disease (heart attacks))
Cerebrovascular disease (Strokes)
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)- Gangrene
How does diabetes contribute to cardiovascular disease?
Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease through mechanisms like atherosclerosis, leading to coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
What is peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?
Peripheral arterial disease is a condition caused by narrowed arteries, reducing blood flow to the limbs, which can lead to pain, ulcers, and in severe cases, gangrene
What are common diabetic emergencies?
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS)
Hypoglycemia
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
DKA is a life-threatening condition resulting from insulin deficiency, leading to high blood glucose, ketone production, metabolic acidosis, and often requiring emergency treatment.
What is hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS)?
HHS is a severe complication of diabetes characterized by extremely high blood glucose levels without significant ketone production, leading to dehydration and altered mental status.
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop too low, leading to symptoms such as shakiness, confusion, sweating, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or seizures.
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Blurry vision
-Extreme fatigue
-Increased hunger - Weight loss
- Sensation of pins and needles in the feet
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related eye disease that results from damage to the blood vessels in the retina, potentially leading to vision loss or blindness.
What are the early signs of diabetic retinopathy?
Microaneurysms (small bulges in blood vessels)
Retinal hemorrhages (bleeding in the retina)
Hard exudates (lipid deposits from serum leakage)
What are microaneurysms in diabetic retinopathy?
Microaneurysms are small, localized dilations of retinal capillaries and are often the first sign of diabetic retinopathy, appearing as small red dots on the retina.
What types of retinal hemorrhages are associated with diabetic retinopathy?
Dot-and-blot hemorrhages (deeper, rounded)
Flame-shaped (linear, superficial) hemorrhages
What are hard exudates in diabetic retinopathy?
Hard exudates are yellow-white lesions with well-defined edges, resulting from lipid deposits that occur due to serum leakage from damaged blood vessels.
What are cotton wool spots?
Cotton wool spots are soft, fluffy white patches on the retina, representing localized retinal ischemia due to nerve fiber layer damage.
What characterizes proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)?
PDR is characterized by:
Neovascularization (formation of new, abnormal blood vessels)
Vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding into the gel-like substance of the eye)
Risk of tractional retinal detachment
What symptoms might a patient with diabetic retinopathy experience?
Symptoms may include:
Blurred or distorted vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Floaters or spots in vision
Sudden vision loss (in advanced cases)