*Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes - initial treatment and Education

If type 1 diabetes is suspected the patient should be referred to secondary care diabetes services urgently  
 Most patients are young (<50 years), but insulin may be required at any age 
 BMI often less than 25kg/m2 
 Check urine for ketones. Anything more than minimal ketosis is a strong indication for insulin 
 Often associated with marked hyperglycaemia, rapid weight loss and rapid onset of severe symptoms 
 Some people may have a personal and/or family history of autoimmune disease 
 Severely ill patients may show features of acidosis including deep, sighing respiration and alteration in conscious 
level and require urgent hospitalisation  Protracted vomiting or ketonuria (Type 1) 
 Same day referral to secondary care diabetes services for insulin initiation  Newly diagnosed Type 1 
 Do not routinely measure C-peptide and/or diabetes-specific autoantibody titres to confirm type 1 diabetes in adults 

 

 

 

Key documents

External Links

  • Clinical support group
    • Endocrine and Diabetes

Do you want to add this to your CPD record?

Did you find this page helpful?