Apollo Sugar Clinic

DIABETOLOGY

Diabetes is a serious medical condition. It affects the ability of the body to either produce insulin or use insulin. The role of insulin lies in helping the body produce energy by utilizing the blood sugar. Diabetes results in blood sugar or blood glucose rising to abnormally high levels.

Diabetes can cause serious damage to nerves and blood vessels over years. In the process it causes a variety of symptoms. These symptoms may include:

  • Difficulty seeing
  • Tingling in the hands and feet
  • Numbness in the hands and feet
  • Increased risk for a stroke or an increased risk of heart attack

A diabetic profile test is important for an early diagnosis. An early diagnosis means that you can start your treatment process early. Early treatment will help you take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

For Whom is A Diabetic Profile Test Recommended?

Diabetes may or may not cause many symptoms during its early stages. You should get tested immediately if you experience any of the early symptoms. These symptoms may sometimes occur. These symptoms may include:

  • Being extremely thirsty
  • Feeling tired all the time
  • Feeling very hungry, even after eating
  • Having blurry vision
  • Urinating more often than usual
  • Having sores or cuts that won’t heal.

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease and you should be having periodic diabetic profile tests even if you are not experiencing symptoms. It is recommended that you go for diabetes testing if you fall into any one of the below categories:

  • You have high blood pressure or your triglycerides are high, or you have low HDL cholesterol, or you are having heart disease.
  • You have a family history of diabetes.
  • You had abnormal blood sugar levels in the past.
  • You have signs of insulin resistance.
  • You do not engage in regular physical activity.
  • You are a woman having a history of polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS) or you had suffered from gestational diabetes

Despite of all General Sugar Blood Test (Glucose Fasting, Glucose Post Prandial, HbA1C etc.), other SPECIALIZED SUGAR Scanning Tests are also being done at our Clinic namely:

  • VPT - Vibration Perception Threshold Test.

VPT is done for measuring Vibration Perception to Detect Neuropathy. Biothesiometry is a non-invasive test that measures the vibration perception threshold (VPT) in humans. The VPT is the lowest level of vibration that a person can detect. A high VPT can indicate peripheral sensory neuropathy, a condition that damages the nerves in the feet and legs.

  • Fundus Scan (Diabetic Eye Examination)

Fundoscopy or ophthalmoscopy is a test done to examine the back of the eye and the inner lining. The fundus consists of the retina, the macula, the optic nerve, and blood vessels. Fundoscopy allows the ophthalmologist to detect retinal degeneration, detachment, and other abnormalities of the blood vessels and the optic nerve.  Fundoscopy is an important screening test for diabetic patients to look out for diabetic retinopathy.

 

  • Vascular Doppler for TBI (Toe Brachial Index Test) / ABI (Ankle Brachial Index Test).

The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) / Toe Brachial Index (TBI) is an easy, non-invasive test for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Once you know you have PAD, you can repeat the test to see how you’re doing after treatment.

The ABI / TBI can tell your healthcare provider:

How severe your PAD is, but it can’t identify the exact location of the blood vessels that are blocked or narrowed.

If your arms and legs are getting enough oxygen.

How bad your vascular injury is after a trauma.

Your risk of dying from a cardiovascular issue. Even if you aren’t having symptoms, having PAD is a sign of a higher risk of death from a cardiovascular cause.

Catching PAD early gives people a chance to make lifestyle changes and get treatment that may reduce their risk of cardiovascular issues.

  • Podio I-Mat (Foot Pressure Mapping System)

High blood sugar levels lead to a damage of the blood vessels and the nerves of the feet. Over a period of time, this damage leads to a decreased sensation in the feet. Along with this, diabetes also leads to a decreased ability to fight infection. When these add up, the patient is at a higher risk of damage to the feet.
Often, patients have ulcers on the feet. These ulcers take a long time to heal as the immunity system of a diabetic is compromised. Added to that, any antibiotic medication prescribed cannot reach the ulcer due to decreased blood flow.
These wounds and ulcers take a lot of time to heal and in some cases, lead to amputation of the feet.
With such high-risk factor involved, it is important for every diabetic to get a periodical foot exam. This foot exam is done with a procedure called Podo Scan.

A Podo Scan is a simple and non-invasive procedure that assesses abnormalities of the nerves based on the plantar distribution of pressure. It also assesses deformity, infection, breakdown of skin, temperature, edema, ischemia, and callosities.

  • Monofilament Test.

A monofilament test is done to test for nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), which may be caused by conditions such as diabetes. The monofilament is a small strand of nylon attached to a plastic base. The provider uses this monofilament to check for loss of feeling on your foot.

All these diabetes tests are simple, non-invasive and do not need any preparation. Lasting not more than a few minutes, these tests do not require any fasting, or sample collection.