History and Objectives: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) are of known complications in patients with Thalassemia major. In order to diagnose asymptomatic cases and trial of oral hypoglycemic agents and adhering to dietary regimen, this study was carried out on the referrers to pediatric endocrinologic clinic of Booali Sina hospital.

Materials and Methods: Thalassemic patients affected by diabetes mellitus were recognized and their characteristics were recorded. After description of the project and obtaining patient’s consent, fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test were performed in the asymptomatic Thalassemic patients. The quality of response was compared with WHO protocol and American National Society of Diabetes. Descriptive statistics were used to show the findings and correlations were evaluated by means of correlation coefficient.

Results: In 600 patients, 2.5% were affected by diabetes mellitus. 9 girls aged 21±7 years and 5 boys aged 17±5 years had diabetes mellitus. Age and diagnosis was 19±6 and 15±3 years in the girls and boys respectively. Standard 5-stage oral glucose tolerance test was performed (OGTT) in 70 patients. 2 cases of diabetes mellitus (One 21-year-old girl and one 18-year-old boy) and 11 patients with impaired glucose tolerance test (IGT) were detected. The IGT group consisted of 9 girls and 2 boys aged 19±3.6 years. Measuring fasting blood glucose alone has no diagnostic value for patients with IGT and diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: Asymptomatic patients with impaired glucose metabolism can be diagnosed by a two-stage OGTT and oral hypoglycemic agents can be used in the treatment of patients.