Biochemical Profile Flashcards
Does insulin increase or decrease blood glucose concentrations?
Decrease
Do glucagon, epinephrine, growth hormone, ACTH, and cortisol increase or decrease glucose blood levels?
Increase
What is the function of insulin?
Drives glucose into cells to be metabolized into glycogen, amino acids, and fatty acids
What is the “classic” hyperglycemic disorder?
Diabetes mellitus
What is the normal fasting blood glucose range?
70-99 mg/dL
What is the range for FBG in a pre-diabetic?
100-125 mg/dL
What is the FBG measurement for a diabetic?
126 or greater mg/dL
What is the FBG measurement when considered “low”?
Below 70 mg/dL
Does an insulin overdose lead to hyper- or hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia (glucose goes into cells to be stored and glucose is decreased in the blood)
Which is associated with hyperglycemia: Cushing’s syndrome or Addison’s disease?
Cushing’s syndrome
Which is associated with hypoglycemia: Cushing’s syndrome or Addison’s disease?
Addison’s
What type of respiratory symptom is seen with Type I diabetes?
Kussmaul breathing (hyperventilation)
What are the common symptoms associated with diabetes?
Increased thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), fatigue, blurred vision
If diabetes mellitus is suspected, what testing should be done?
Glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and/or HgbA1c
How does a glucose tolerance test show a person has diabetes?
Glucose load isn’t tolerated, and serum levels will be greatly elevated along with glucose spilling into the urine
At what time and serum level is a glucose tolerance test usually stopped?
2 hours with serum levels at less than 140 mg/dL (normal)
What are the serum levels with OGTT in a pre-diabetic at 2 hours?
140-199 mg/dL
What are the serum levels with OGTT in a diabetic at 2 hours?
Greater than 200 mg/dL
If your patient comes in with diabetic symptoms, what should be your next move?
Adjust subluxations, FBG test, UA
What is the HgbA1c test for?
Determines how well a patient’s diabetes/blood sugar levels are being controlled
What is the normal range for the hemoglobin A1c test in a patient without diabetes?
4-6% (blood sugar average) but overall less than 5.7%
What should be the goal for a Hgb A1c test in a patient with diabetes?
Less than 7% (means lower likelihood of developing complications)
What is the range for the hemoglobin A1c test in a pre-diabetic patient?
5.7-6.4%
What is the range for the hemoglobin A1c test in a diabetic patient?
Greater than 6.5%
Are all diabetic patients aware of their disorder?
No; only about half
What confirms glycosuria?
Levels exceed the renal threshold values of 180mg
What type of diabetes is dependent on exogenous insulin to sustain life?
Type 1
Type 1 Diabetes involves the autoimmune destruction of which cells?
Pancreatic islet beta cells
What is the most common type of diabetes?
Type 2
Does gestational diabetes remain?
No; it goes away after delivery (but increased chance of developing DM later in the next 10-20 years)
What is the leading cause of Charcot joints in the US?
Diabetes
What is the unique breath feature associated with diabetic ketoacidosis?
Fruity breath odor
What is the difference between reactive and fasting hypoglycemia?
Reactive aka postprandial = occurs within 4 hours after meals (<70 mg/dL); Fasting = related to underlying disease (<50 mg/dl)
What type of hypoglycemia can occur immediately after a meal?
Postprandial/reactive
What is Whipple’s Triad?
Hypoglycemic symptoms, low plasma glucose measure at the time of symptoms, and relief of symptoms when glucose is raised to normal
What can relieve reactive hypoglycemia?
Eat small meals and snacks about every 3 hours (also exercise regularly)
What measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood?
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
Where is urea formed and how?
Formed in the liver as an end product of protein metabolism
In functional terms, what does BUN measure?
Metabolic function of the liver and excretory function of the kidneys
Elevated BUN levels are associated with the disease of which organ?
Kidneys (could also be a high protein diet, however)
Decreased BUN levels are associated with the disease of which organ?
Liver
What are the renal function studies?
BUN an creatinine levels
What is creatinine?
Catabolic product of creatine phosphate which is used in muscle contraction
Why do creatinine and BUN levels help identify kidney problems?
Both are excreted by the kidneys and therefore show kidney function
Which is a better indicator for renal disease: BUN or creatinine?
Creatinine
What is uric acid?
Nitrogenous compound that is a product of purine catabolism
Hyperuricemia is associated with what condition?
Gout
What is the term for gout of the big toe?
Podagra
Bilateral sacroilitis is most likely due to what condition?
Seronegative spondyloarthropathy like AS
Which substances constitute most of the protein in the body?
Albumin and globulin
What conditions exhibit increased protein levels?
MM, dehydration, chronic infections, malignancies
What conditions exhibit decreased protein levels?
Liver disease, kidney disease, malabsorption
Where is albumin formed?
Liver (60% of total protein)
What is the function of albumin?
Regulates colloidal osmotic pressure and transports important blood constituents
Albumin is a measure of the function of which organ?
Liver
What is the function of globulins?
Building block of antibodies and some transport proteins
What condition is associated with a low/reversed albumin/globulin ratio?
Multiple Myeloma (overproduction of globulins)
What condition would possibly be present with a high albumin/globulin ratio?
Some leukemias (underproduction of immunoglobulins)
What type of anemia is associated with MM?
Normocytic normochormic anemia