Diabetic Profile

What is a Diabetic Profile?

The diabetic profile is a set of tests which are used for testing and monitoring the various kinds of Diabetes, for testing the severity of diabetes or to even evaluate if your body is responding to the treatment of diabetes(if you are already undergoing treatments).
Diabetic Profile tests can be classified into 3 groups. Each group consists of various tests for the evaluation and the monitoring of diabetes.

Why did my doctor recommend me to undergo the Diabetic Profile tests?

Your doctor might recommend you to undergo the Diabetic Profile in the following conditions as discussed below.

– If your doctor observes that you are experiencing various symptoms related to diabetes, he might suggest you undergo the Diabetic profile test.

– Diabetic profile test can be recommended during the gestational period if you are already diagnosed with abnormal blood glucose level. 

– When you are already undergoing the treatment for Diabetes, the Diabetic profile is suggested by your doctor to monitor the response of your body to the treatment.

– If you had been suffering from problems regarding kidney, heart, lung and nerve, etc, your doctor might recommend you undergo the Diabetic Profile tests.

– For the determination of the type of Diabetes, the Diabetic Profile is suggested or recommended.

What are the tests that come under the Diabetic Profile?

The tests which come under the Diabetic Profile are classified into three groups:
GROUP 1
Group 1 tests give an idea about the severity of the Diabetes Mellitus.
Blood Sugar (F-fasting): The blood test is done for measuring and monitoring the sugar level in an individual after fasting. 

Blood sugar (postprandial (PP): The Blood Sugar (postprandial(PP) is the blood test done after 2 hours of lunch.

Urine sugar(F-fasting): This test is done to test the levels of glucose or sugar in the urine.

Urine Sugar(PP): This test is also carried out after 2 hours of lunch.

Urine Ketone Bodies: This test helps in the diagnosis of the presence or the absence of ketones in the urine.

Blood Urea Nitrogen: This test helps in the monitoring of the levels of urea in the urine.

Group 2
The tests of the Group 2 Diabetic Profile help in evaluating and monitoring disturbed lipid(fat) metabolism and atheroma( the condition in which the walls of the arteries are clogged with fatty tissues). All the tests of Group 2 are done with a sample of serum. The names of the tests which consists of the Group 2 Diabetic Profile test are:
Serum Total Cholesterol
Serum HDL cholesterol
Serum total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio
Serum triglycerides

Group 3
These tests are done to know the acid-base balance of the body.
The tests under the Group 3 Diabetic Profile are used for the diagnosis of acidosis( a disturbed condition of the body’s acid-alkali balance) and ketosis( a condition where fat is metabolized instead of glucose for the production of energy inside the body). The tests which are included in Group 3 are:
Blood pH
Serum bicarbonate
Serum bicarbonate
Blood gases (PCO2, PO2)

What is the procedure of the Diabetes Profile?

For the procedure of the serum test to be carried out, blood is drawn. The blood is drawn by the procedure of venipuncture. The procedure of the venipuncture is done by the following steps:

– A tight elastic band or a tourniquet is wrapped around the upper arm. This makes the veins more prominent making it easier to locate the vein from where the blood has to be collected. A syringe is used for drawing the blood. The needle is injected and the blood is drawn and collected in the tube of the syringe.

The tourniquet and the elastic band is unwrapped from the arm.
The area of the injection is cleaned with an antiseptic to avoid any further infection. The spot of the puncture is dabbed with a cotton swab and a bandage is put on the spot of the puncture.

– This helps in preventing any further bleeding. The collected sample of the blood is sent to the laboratory for the extraction of the serum from it. The serum gets tested for the Diabetes Profile.

For conducting the urine test for the Diabetes Profile, the sample of urine is collected by the following procedure:

– You will be given a container by the diagnostic center or the laboratory.
– Right in the morning, you should excrete all the urine. 
– Collect all the urine passed in the container for the next 24 hours.
– Store these collected samples of urine in a cooler place with ice or in the refrigerator.
– The samples are then sent to the laboratory for the tests.

What are the risks of the Diabetes Profile test?

The Diabetes Profile test involves no risks at all. The venipuncture procedure associates a few risks. Some of the most common risks of the  venipuncture procedure are:

– Hematoma is a condition leading to the formation of the blood clots under the skin. It also results in the formation of lumps under the skin.

– After the blood sample is drawn, an individual might feel lightheaded or dizzy. There are minute chances of bruises and wounds occurring.

– Some individuals may experience pain related to too many punctures by the syringe and injection.

What is the price of the Diabetic test profile in India?

The price range of the Diabetic Profile starts from 1695 INR. the prices vary in different places across India. The prices depend on the location i.e. the city or the state the diagnostic center is located in.

When will I get my results for the Diabetic Profile test?

You will get your results for the Diabetic Profile test within 24 hours to 36 hours after the test is conducted.

What does my result for the Diabetic Profile depict?

The clinical ranges of each of the components of the test are elaborated in the chart given below:

What does it mean if I have higher levels of all the components tested?

If you have higher levels of all the components that are tested, it indicates that you are having Diabetes. The tests in the Diabetes Profile also helps in determining the type of Diabetes. The higher levels of the Serum Sodium clearly indicate Diabetes Insipidus. The higher levels of the Potassium indicate the Diabetes Ketoacidosis.

Is the Diabetic Profile tests recommended for pregnant women?

Between the 24th to 25th week of the gestational period, every woman are suggested to undergo the Diabetic Profile tests. Any type of Diabetes can have adverse health effects on the kids leading to various birth defects. Hence it is compulsory forevery women to undergo the Diabetic Profile tests during their pregnancy.

When should I take my kid for a Diabetes Profile checkup?

If your kid is experiencing various symptoms related to Diabetes, it is definitely recommended for your kids to undergo the Diabetic Profile test. Some of the most common symptoms of Diabetes according to the types, in kids are as follows:

Type 1 Diabetes:
– Dehydration and increased thirst
– Frequent feeling of urination
– The abrupt shift in appetite
– Sudden weight loss
– Fatigue and persisting weakness
– Irritability and mood swings
– The fruity smell on the breath
– The blurring of the vision

Type 2 Diabetes:
– Frequent urinating and especially at night
– Increased thirst and dehydration
– Extreme tiredness and fatigue
– Sudden loss of weight
– Itching and red rashes around the genitals due to yeast infection
– Slow recovery from cuts or wounds
– Blurry vision due to dryness of eye lens.