Urea and electrolyte test for newly diagnosed diabetic

[mumof2kiddos]

I just received the prescription form for testing Urea and Electrolyte (along with Glucose and repeat HBa1c) after I did my Hba1c last week. It appears that I am diabetic although I don't know the numbers yet, will need to call up surgery tomorrow to find out.
I am not sure why they are testing Urea and Electrolyte? To check my kidneys?

By the way I am 48, not overweight (size 10 to 12) eat lowerish carb, run 45 mins almost everyday and still diagnosed as diabetic! I was diagnosed pre diabetic (42) 6 years ago but went lowish carb and walking which reduced to 34 to 38 till 2/3 years ago. No further test since last 2 years but my diet and weight hasn't changed much since then.

Really disappointed with the results.

Thank you all lovely people.

Diabetes can damage your blood vessels in your kidneys, this will show on U and Es. If you need to lower your BP some medicines need U&Es to check how well your kidneys are functioning before you start

T2 diabetes has a genetic component, it’s not just about being overweight. Do you have any extended family members with T2?

There’s also the possibility that you have T1.5 or LADA, which is basically T1, but with a slow progression to needing full insulin therapy. It’s often mis- diagnosed as T2 because of the late onset and slow progression. To confirm you’d need to be tested for the T1 antibodies. I was diagnosed at 37 and 4 1/2 years on have an hb1ac in the 30s and don’t use insulin. I eat low carb (no more than 60g per day).

Either way, diet and exercise are key to controlling levels even with medication. Monitoring your blood-sugar is important too.