| Type 1 Diabetes Type 1 diabetes is caused by an absolute deficiency of insulin from an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells or degeneration of these cells. The infiltration of mononuclear cells can be precipitated by environmental factors such as viruses, chemicals, and cow's milk or caused by unknown or idiopathic reactions. Ordinarily the individual has an inherited susceptibility to this autoimmune reaction and diabetes develops suddenly. Most often this onset occurs in childhood or young adult years. Type 1 diabetes encompasses about 10% of diabetes cases.Because of the beta-cell destruction, type 1 diabetic patients require insulin to prevent ketosis and reduce complications of this disease.This class was formerly Type I Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) and referred to as juvenile-onset diabetes. The ADA has abolished using these designations but are noted in this review to correlate previously learned information with new recommendations. | View Page |
| Type 2 Diabetes Continued Often with change in environmental factors (diet changes, weight loss, and exercise), a type 2 diabetic can regain acceptable glycemic control. If not, oral hypoglycemic medication is required. An absolute insulin deficiency may develop late in the disease and insulin would then be required.Type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of those with diabetes, probably 80-90%. Ordinarily insulin resistance and deficiency develop in adult years. Due to poor diet and decreased physical activity, many young adults and school-age children are currently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in US.Type 2 diabetes was formerly Type II Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) and referred to as adult-onset diabetes. Again the ADA recommends discontinued use of these designations. | View Page |
| References American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes - 2010. Diabetes Care; January 2010;33:S11-S61.American Diabetes Association. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Care. January 2010;33:S62-S69.Anderson SA, Cockayne S. Clinical Chemistry Concepts and Applications. Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press, Inc, 2003.Bell JR. The new glycohemoglobin standard. Clin Lab News, American Association of Clinical Chemistry; October 2008; 34:1, 3-4.Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Burns DE, eds. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry, 6th ed. St. Louis: Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc, 2008.Charles MA. Diabetes and the laboratorian: Opportunities for a new role. MLO. May 2001, 16-24.Definition and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and intermediate hyperglycaemia WHO 2006. World Health Publications. Available at http://www.who.int/topics/diabetes_mellitus/en/ Accessed 1/11/10.Estimated average glucose, eAG. Available at:http://professional.diabetes.org/glucosecalculator.aspxAccessed 1/11/10.Kaplan LA, Pesce AJ, eds. Clinical Chemistry Theory, Analysis, Correlation. St. Louis: Mosby Inc, an affiliate of Elsevier Inc, 2010.Rollin G. A new role for hemoglobin A1C. Clin Lab News, American Association for Clinical Chemistry. December 2008; 34:1, 3. | View Page |