The clinical physiology department

The clinical physiology department carries out examinations to either detect and manage diabetic complications, or to determine a diagnosis. Two bioanalysts from the clinical biochemistry department are responsible for the work.

What happens in the department
Practitioners refer patients to the clinical physiology department. The department has the resources to examine up to three people at a time, depending on the type of the examination. Patients receive the preliminary results directly after the examination and the final results at their next consultation.

Examinations for complications
Beat to beat: examination of the autonomic nervous system for signs of nerve disorders (the autonomic nervous system is an involuntary system). In this examination changes in the pulse are registered during deep breathing.
Orthostatic blood pressure measurement: examination of the autonomic nervous system for signs of nerve disorders. In this examination, changes in blood pressure are measured when the patient moves from a lying to a standing position.
Distal blood pressure measurement: assessment of the blood flow to the feet and toes. This measurement indicates the likelihood of a foot ulcer healing.
GFR examination of renal function, i.e., how efficiently the kidneys clean the blood of the toxins that are constantly being created in the body.

Diagnostic examination
Glucagon test: examination of how much insulin the pancreas produces.
Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGGT): an examination that can confirm/reject the diagnosis of diabetes.
Synacten test: measurement of the adrenal production.