Diabetic coma diagnosis starts by testing blood-sugar level, ketones in the urine and various salt levels in the blood.
Diabetic Coma Tests
It may need various tests to measure:
- Physical test for a sign of dehydration
- Symptoms of neurological problems
- Blood-sugar level
- Ketone level
- Amount of nitrogen or creatinine, a breakdown product of creatine, an important part of the skeletal muscle
- Amount of various salts such as potassium, phosphate, and sodium in the blood
- Arterial plasma pH - A pH of 7.3 or higher defines diabetic hyperosmolar syndrome.
- Serum osmolality – normal range is 280 - 290 mOsm/kg. A serum osmolality of 320 mOsm/kg or more defines hyperosmolar syndrome.