Question

what lab marker is used to monitor diabetic patients who may be secretly taking insulin?
a) fasting glucose
b) fructosamine
c) c - peptide
d) hcbaic

Explanation:

To determine the lab marker for monitoring diabetic patients secretly taking insulin, we analyze each option:

• a) Fasting glucose: Measures blood glucose after fasting, but exogenous insulin can lower it temporarily, so it’s not specific for detecting secret insulin use.
• b) Fructosamine: Reflects short - term glycemic control (2 - 3 weeks), but doesn’t distinguish between endogenous and exogenous insulin effects.
• c) C - peptide: When the body produces insulin, it also produces C - peptide. Exogenous insulin (injected) does not include C - peptide. So, low C - peptide levels in a diabetic patient with controlled glucose may indicate secret insulin use (since the patient’s own pancreas is not producing insulin, but glucose is controlled via injected insulin).
• d) HbA1c: Measures long - term glycemic control (2 - 3 months) and does not indicate insulin source.

Answer:

c) C - peptide