Session 5 Diabetes

Question 1

What is insulin secreted by?

Secreted by in response to what? 3

What is insulin inhibited by? 3

Role of insulin?

Answer 1

Secreted by beta cells

In response to increased glucose, glucagon and parasympathetic activity (M3)

Inhibited by decreased glucose, cortisol and sympathetic activity (alpha 2)

Role
= decrease hepatic glucose output via inhibition of gluconeogenesis
= inhibits glycogenolysis
= promotes uptake of fats

Question 2

What is the random plasma glucose for diagnosis of diabetes?

Other symptoms of diabetes

Answer 2

> 11 mmol/L

• polyuria
• polydipsia
• weight loss
• fatigue / lethargy

Single raised plasma glucose without symptoms is NOT sufficient

Question 3

What are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes?

Answer 3

Obesity 
Family history 
Ethnicity 
Diet 
Thiazides/thiazides-like drugs, glucocorticoids and beta blockers

Question 4

What is HbA1c?

Expressed how?

glucose vs HbA1c

Answer 4

Haemoglobin A1c (glycated haemoglobin)

The percentage of RBC’s with sugar coating

Reflects average blood sugar over last 10-12 weeks

Expressed as mmol/mol or %

Glucose = immediate measure of glucose levels in blood in mmol/L