Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease and lasts a lifetime, the cause is the body cannot release or use insulin sufficiently so that the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is high.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that blood glucose screening be performed for age 45 or older, overweight of any age, with one or more additional risk factors for diabetes, personal history of pre-diabetes or a sedentary lifestyle.

DM is a disease that cannot be cured. However, this disease can be controlled with good blood sugar monitoring.

It is necessary to carry out a series of examinations to establish a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Examinations are generally performed, related to the diagnosis of pre-diabetes and diabetes.

Laboratory examinations for DM include:

Urine Glucose
In the past, this test was widely used to estimate blood glucose levels, but this test can give a false positive value because it is influenced by the renal threshold value and pregnancy.

Fasting Blood Glucose and 2 hours after eating
Used to determine the presence of DM and control blood glucose levels.

Patients must meet the following requirements:

- 3 days before the examination, consume food and physical activities as usual (no diet)

- Fasting 10 – 12 hours

- After checking fasting blood glucose, consume food according to the usual portion

- For 2 hours it is not allowed to smoke and do excessive physical activity

- Check blood glucose levels 2 hours after eating.


3. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

This examination is done when fasting blood glucose levels or 2 hours after eating in doubt. The examination preparation carried out was the same as the examination preparation for fasting blood glucose and 2 hours after eating. The difference is the administration of glucose after fasting glucose examination. The glucose given is 75 grams of powdered glucose which has been dissolved in 250 ml of water and must be consumed within 5 minutes. After that, blood was taken again after 2 hours of drinking glucose.

Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1C)
Used to determine the average glucose level in the last 3 months and control DM during treatment. The advantage of this examination is that it can be done in a non-fasting state.

The examination for this diabetes mellitus panel uses blood examination materials from veins and urine. Patients must fast for a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of before taking blood

Author : dr. Shintia Kodrata, Sp.PK (In charge of Lab. Clinic PRAMITA Jl. Moch. Toha No. 163 Bandung)