Clinical Case 2.1

A 23-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the Emergency Room with polyuria, polydipsia and 6 kg weight loss. She had not seen her GP and her only question to the medical staff was to ask whether she had developed diabetes. Biochemical analysis of a blood sample showed that her serum glucose concentration was 15 mmol/l (normal fasting 3–6 mmol/l), urea 6.2 mmol/l (NR 2.5–8.0 mmol/l), potassium 4.2 mmol/l (NR 3.5–4.7 mmol/l), sodium 131 mmol/l (NR 135–145 mmol/l) and bicarbonate 24 mmol/l (NR 22–28 mmol/l). Analysis of urine showed mild ketonuria.