Diabetes out of the blue points to a life-changing diagnosis

An older patient’s new type 2 diabetes proves to be a sinister harbinger

Keith, a 67-year-old retiree, presents to his GP with several months of weight loss and increased appetite. He is otherwise well with no past medical history of note.

His last attendance was nine months prior for a general checkup, where his blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and liver function were all normal.

He does not take any medications and has no significant family history. 

Examination findings are unremarkable, although blood tests reveal that Keith has new-onset hyperglycaemia (fasting BSL 12mmol/L, HbA1c 7.1%), with normal cholesterol, EUC, LFTs and albumin/creatinine ratio.