Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is made based on FBS more than 7 mmol or 125 mg on 2 occasions or Hb A1c more than 6.5 %. FBS from 6 to 7 mmol (100 to 125 mg) and Hb A1c from 5.7 to 6.5 is called prediabetic state or impaired fasting glucose. Basic defect in type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance to start with and insulin deficiency later caused by gradual beta cell destruction due to glucotoxicity .
Patient education When diagnosis is made, the patient should be educated on how diabetes is caused, life style modification, side effects of drugs, symptoms of hypoglycemia, complications of diabetes and importance of home monitoring and treating co-morbidities such as high BP and cholesterol to prevent microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular complications (CAD, stroke and PAD). The importance of regular follow up, 3 monthly HbA1c and 6…
