Glucose Metabolism and Diabetes Overview

What are the two most important hormones involved in glucose homeostasis?

What is the name of the precursor molecule that is cleaved to form insulin and C-peptide?

Which of the following hormones cause an increase in glucose levels in the blood?

The condition of increasing blood glucose level is called ______.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a decreased response to insulin known as insulin resistance.

Match the following diabetic conditions with their primary characteristics:

Which of the following tests is used to determine whether the body has difficulty metabolizing ingested glucose?

The HbA1c test provides an average measure of blood glucose levels over the past 3 months.

What is the normal range for HbA1c levels in individuals who are not diabetic?

C-peptide is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and acts directly on cells to promote glucose uptake.

Which of the following conditions may lead to a false-positive result in a urine glucose test?

What is the primary function of the enolase enzyme?

What is the primary characteristic of the fructosamine test?

Glucose Estimation

The body gets glucose from dietary carbohydrates and internal production via glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
Blood glucose levels rely on the balance of glucose intake and utilization.
Key hormones in glucose homeostasis are insulin (lowers glucose) and glucagon (raises glucose).
Insulin is a 51 amino acid polypeptide, secreted by beta cells in the pancreas in response to high blood sugar. It's initially proinsulin, then cleaved into insulin and C-peptide.

Other Hormones That Increase Glucose Levels

Adrenaline
Growth hormone
Glucocorticoids
Cortisol

Disorders in Hormonal Circulation

Hyperglycemia: High blood glucose levels.
Hypoglycemia: Low blood glucose levels.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 1 (Insulin-dependent): Autoimmune disease affecting insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Treatment involves insulin injections.
Type 2 (Non-insulin-dependent): Body cells become resistant to insulin. Treatment involves lifestyle changes and potentially insulin.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Occurs during pregnancy.
Placenta hormones can cause rising blood glucose levels, needing higher insulin levels.
Mothers with GDM may later have Type 2 diabetes.

Diagnosing Diabetes

Blood samples (e.g., random blood glucose, fasting blood glucose)
Urine sample tests (detect glucose, ketones)
Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Measures blood glucose after ingestion of glucose solution.

Glycemic Control Tests

HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c): Average blood glucose levels over 3 months.
Fructosamine test: Average blood glucose over 2-3 weeks.
C-peptide test: Measures the amount of insulin produced by the body.

Prediabetes and Diabetes

Prediabetes: Blood glucose level between normal and diabetic levels.
Diabetes Mellitus: Elevated blood glucose levels.

Explore the crucial aspects of glucose metabolism and its regulation in the body, focusing on insulin and other hormones. This quiz will cover disorders related to glucose levels, including hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and provide insights into Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Test your knowledge on the body's intricate system of glucose homeostasis.