For the first time in Puducherry, all the tests needed for the evaluation of diabetic complications are being done by experts and experienced technicians at a single place. The laboratory is fully equipped with world-class biochemical auto analyzers, Bio-Rad HbA1C analyzer, cell counters, thyroid and hormone analyzer etc. External quality control is carried out by CMC Vellore.
The hospital functions 24 hours and patients can walk in even as early as 5.30 A.M. to give blood samples, making it convenient for elderly people who cannot starve for long and office goers.
E.C.G. and digital X-ray are done any time for emergency cases. For assessment of the heart, cardiologists are available to give their advice based on echocardiogram, treadmill test result etc. Special blood tests to detect myocardial injury (unstable angina), heart attack etc. are also available.
For assessment of kidneys, in addition to special blood tests (renal function panel) and urine tests (micro albuminuria), ultrasound scans are performed to assess kidney damage, infection, or swellings. The renal doppler test is done to evaluate the blood circulation to kidneys. For patients with repeated urine infections, special nerve tests and procedures are also conducted to prevent kidney damage and failure.
A battery of tests is available for patients with diabetes to ascertain the level of insulin secretion, condition of nerves, eyes, blood vessels etc. The foot lab assesses the patient’s nerve involvement and blood circulation with various tests, including monofilament test, biothesiometry, ABI with Doppler, and podiascan. Special Doppler tests for arterial and venous circulation are also conducted to find out whether a patient would require further procedures like angiography, angioplasty etc. to save the limb. Diabetics who have symptoms like numbness, pins and needles, cotton wool sensation on walking, unstable walking, inability to feel hot or cold or pain, swelling, redness, foot ulcers, blackish discoloration of toes or feet etc. must undergo evaluation for diabetic neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease to prevent serious complications and loss of toe, foot, or limb (amputation).
Diabetes also affects the nerves of inner organs (autonomic nerves) that can lead to various organ dysfunctions, including silent heart attack, arrhythmias, persistent giddiness and fall of BP on walking, repeated urinary infections and difficulty in voiding urine, male impotence, gastric problems like bloating, acidity, vomiting (gastroparesis), diarrhoea. All these can be assessed by an advanced computerized test to detect autonomic neuropathy and suitable treatment can be initiated. This test also helps to detect the anaesthesia risks for a person prior to surgery.
The ups and downs in the glycaemic status leads to all complications and the variability patterns of hyperglycaemia are exactly detected by a special device called continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), which was introduced for the first time in Puducherry by us. This test greatly helps in giving precise treatment to patients with brittle diabetes and repeated low-sugar states.
Long-standing diabetes can damage the eyes, leading to cataract, retinopathy, glaucoma, and repeated eye infections. A periodic eye check-up is essential to assess the eye status; fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) are invaluable in the early detection of complications and thereby the prevention of total loss of vision.