What are the symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus (DM)?

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From the Guidelines

Diabetes symptoms include polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, sometimes with polyphagia, and blurred vision, which occur due to chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both, as stated in the study published in Diabetes Care 1. These symptoms are a result of the body's inability to properly process blood sugar, leading to a range of complications.

  • Polyuria, or frequent urination, occurs as the kidneys work to filter excess glucose from the blood, leading to dehydration and increased thirst.
  • Weight loss, despite increased hunger, is a result of the body breaking down fat and muscle for energy when cells cannot get glucose due to insulin problems.
  • Blurred vision is caused by damage to the small blood vessels in the eyes from elevated blood sugar levels.
  • Other symptoms, such as fatigue, slow-healing sores, and frequent infections, can also occur due to impaired circulation and immune function. The study published in Diabetes Care 1 highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve problems. It is essential to seek medical attention promptly if these symptoms are experienced, as adequate glycemic control can be achieved with weight reduction, exercise, and/or oral glucose-lowering agents, or insulin therapy, depending on the individual's needs, as discussed in the study 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

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From the Research

Diabetes Symptoms

  • The symptoms of diabetes can be identified through various tests, including the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 2, 3, 4.
  • The OGTT measures the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels after consuming a sugary drink 2, 3, 4.
  • Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour plasma glucose (2h PG), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels are used to diagnose diabetes 2.
  • A study found that performing an additional OGTT for patients with FPG ≥110 mg/dL or HbA1c ≥6.1% can help reclassify their glucose tolerance status and evaluate their potential for progressing to overt diabetes 2.
  • Another study suggested that a 1-hour plasma glucose (1-h PG) level of ≥11.6 mmol/L during the OGTT has good sensitivity and specificity for detecting type 2 diabetes 3.
  • The 1-h PG level has been proposed as a potential replacement for the conventional 2-h OGTT, making it more acceptable in clinical settings 4.

Diagnostic Criteria

  • The diagnostic rate of diabetes using FPG, 2h PG, and HbA1c levels varies, with 2h PG being the most accurate predictor of diabetes 2.
  • A meta-analysis found that the optimal 1-h PG threshold for detecting diabetes is 11.6 mmol/L, with a sensitivity of 0.92 and specificity of 0.91 3.
  • The use of the 1-h PG level can increase the likelihood of identifying high-risk individuals when pancreatic ß-cell function is substantially intact 4.

Other Considerations

  • There is no evidence to suggest that tolbutamide and glibornuride have an acute positive inotropic action on myocardial contractility 5.
  • The OGTT has been used for over 100 years to detect prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, with recent advances in its application, including the glucose challenge test and mathematical modeling 4.

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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