The insulin tolerance test or ITT is a laboratory diagnostic test in which the individual receives insulin through an IV to check to see if the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands are functioning properly. Insulin tolerance tests are generally done by endocrinologists who are specialists in diabetes and other endocrine disorders. The idea behind […]
Insulin shock is also referred to as “severe hypoglycemia” or “diabetic shock”. It is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, particularly type 1 diabetes. It is the result of injecting too much insulin so that the blood sugars drop to dangerous levels. It can also be due to not eating enough to cover […]
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It starts with damage to the blood vessels in the retina of the eye (which is the “seeing” part of the eye) and ends with neovascularization, which is the formation of extra capillaries (small blood vessels) that leads to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy […]
Insulin is a protein-based hormone that is secreted by the islet cells in the pancreas. When the pancreas senses an increase in blood glucose levels, it releases insulin, which is responsible for putting the glucose into the cells to be used as a type of cellular fuel. Without insulin, the cells would starve from having […]
Diabetes insipidus is a relatively rare condition in which the body lacks enough antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is also called vasopressin. Normally, ADH is secreted by the hypothalamus and it sends a signal to the kidneys to hold onto water. When an individual has diabetes insipidus, they lack enough ADH or vasopressin so that the […]
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening medical condition that is a complication of diabetes mellitus that is not in control. It is more common among type 1 diabetics that have no insulin but it can also be seen in severe cases of type 2 diabetes. In diabetic ketoacidosis, there are ketones in the bloodstream and urine […]
Acetyl l-carnitine is not a common treatment for diabetes mellitus. It is considered an alternative treatment for the disease and, when it is used, it is used in the management of diabetic neuropathy, which is diabetic nerve pain of the feet, hands, and legs that causes numbness and/or burning pain from glucose affecting the nerves. The […]
Diabetic nerve pain is also known as diabetic neuropathy and specifically, peripheral diabetic neuropathy. There are several kinds of neuropathies that a diabetic can get but diabetic nerve pain in the feet is called peripheral neuropathy. It is extremely common among diabetics, involving about 50 to 70 percent of people who suffer from diabetes. The […]
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy where a woman and her baby are likely to have high blood glucose levels. Studies have shown that if left untreated, it can cause problems during pregnancy, at child-birth and even in the years to come.[i] Fortunately there are many things that can be […]
Vanadium is normally mined as a silvery metal. It is useful in non-medical situations because it does not corrode easily. About eighty percent of vanadium mined is used as part of a steel additive. Alloys containing vanadium are extremely touch and are used for various kinds of tools, crankshafts, piston rods, axles, and armor plating. […]