Diabetes Question

[BSN_Studnt]

Is both Type I & II Diabetes Mellitus diagnosed by HIGH blood glucose levels? ( I know A1C and other symptoms of Diabetes are involved in diagnoses)

I know that diabetics can have hypoglycemia (like if they insert too much insulin) but is both type 1 & 2 HIGH blood glucose levels ?

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

Yes, both types 1 and 2 are measured by an A1C. So, how would you know if it is type 1 or type 2? If you receive a diagnosis of diabetes, your doctor will also run blood tests to check for autoantibodies that are common in type 1 diabetes. These tests help your doctor distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The presence of ketones, byproducts from the breakdown of fat, in your urine also suggests type 1 diabetes, rather than type 2.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

Yes. Type I's can get hypoglycemic if they overcorrect, or with vigorous excercise or heavy EtOH consumption, etc. But remember, their islet cells are losing the ability to produce insulin. Initially their BGs are going to be high...sometimes astoundingly high. I once had a MICU pt newly dx'd in DKA, BG was >1400 in the ED!!

[BSN_Studnt]

Thank you!

[BSN_Studnt]

Thanks , and wow! That's crazy high! I bet your mouth dropped when you got that call from laboratory

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Diabetics can become hypoglycemic AFTER they've been diagnosed from their medications- insulin (most commonly) or oral hypoglycemics. Diabetes is diagnosed based on a fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or greater or a random blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or greater.