Additional Labs Needed to Diagnose Diabetes Mellitus


Determination of C-peptide is equally important. Insulin and C-peptide are end products of proinsulin conversion in the beta cells of the islets of the pancreas. Determination of C-peptide provides control over the functioning of the beta cells of the pancreas and the production of insulin. It is diagnostically significant that it is C-peptide that makes it possible to assess the level of insulin and more accurately select the necessary (missing) dose of insulin. If the C-peptide in the blood decreases, then this indicates a lack of insulin produced by special cells of the pancreas. Normally, the level of C-peptide is 0.5 — 2.0 μg / l.

At present, much attention is paid to the determination of antibodies to beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, the presence of which leads to the destruction of the cells themselves and disruption of insulin synthesis, which results in the appearance of type 1 diabetes. Autoimmune mechanisms of cell destruction can be hereditary, as well as a number of external factors, such as viral infections, various forms of stress and exposure to toxic substances.

C-peptide makes it possible to assess the level of insulin and more accurately select the necessary (missing) dose of insulin.

Thus, the determination of antibodies to beta cells can be used for early diagnosis and detection of susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. Patients with autoantibodies have a progressive decrease in beta cell function and insulin secretion.

Antibodies to insulin are found in 35-40% of patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes. Insulin antibodies can be seen in the prediabetes stage.

Normally, the level of C-peptide is 0.5 — 2.0 μg / l.

An antigen has also been found that is the main target for autoantibodies associated with the development of insulin-dependent diabetes. This antigen turned out to be glutamic acid decarboxylase (gad), a very informative marker for the diagnosis of prediabetes. Antibodies to GAD can be detected in a patient 5-7 years before the clinical manifestation of the disease. The following is important: the determination of these markers allows in 97% of cases to differentiate type 1 diabetes from type 2, when the clinic of type 1 diabetes mellitus is disguised as type 2.

And finally, the signal marker for body weight is leptin, which is produced in fat cells. It signals the brain to stop eating and increase energy expenditure. However, this mechanism is disrupted with large excess weight. These people have too many leptin-secreting fat cells, and levels rise significantly with each extra gram of weight. When there is too much leptin in the blood, it stops playing it’s signaling function.

The determination of antibodies to beta cells can be used for early diagnosis and detection of susceptibility to type 1 diabetes.

Always remember that timely diagnosis will help you avoid health problems. The clinical and biochemical laboratory of MC CELT performs a wide range of analyzes, and the modern level of equipment, the qualifications of specialists and the timing of the studies guarantee high quality and reliability.

DO NOT FORGET ABOUT DIET

A diet option for people suffering from diabetes (one of the options):

For diabetics — 50-60% carbohydrates, 20-25% fats and 15-20% proteins, and carbohydrates are complex carbohydrates (starches), only vegetable fats (cholesterol control), proteins 1 g per 1 kg of weight — not more (kidney damage) — daily dose.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease, which requires regular self-monitoring of sugar at home (self-monitoring).