Dealing with abnormal test results in diabetes

In this article we discuss two case histories identifying common test result abnormalities in patients with diabetes that the primary healthcare professional has to deal with.

Case history 1: A positive test for microalbuminuria
Geoff, a 56-year-old with a six year history of type 2 diabetes, was seen in the practice diabetes clinic with the following results: HbA1C 71mmol/mol; cholesterol 4.1mmol/l, non-HDL cholesterol 2.4mmol/l; eGFR 62m/min/1.73m²; urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) 8.3mg/mmol (normal value < 3); weight 92kg, BMI 28.5 kg/m2; BP 149/88.

His repeat medication consisted of metformin 1g twice a day, atorvastatin 20mg once daily and losartan 50mg once daily. Geoff was a non-smoker who consumed 12 units of alcohol per week and he worked as a sales representative which involved him driving long distances. Bilateral background retinopathy had been picked up in routine retinal screening.