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The Question
10/22/09 07:55 PM

"My body produces very little insulin, but my blood sugars are usually normal (I take no meds or insulin). How is this possible?"
Asked By: jorrey  
Category: Insulin

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Expert Answers (1)

10/24/09 03:07 PM

Hello Jorrey: Your insulin is primarily responsible for controlling blood glucose levels.
The diagnosis of diabetes can result from defects in
  • insulin secretion,
  • insulin action at the cellular lever, or
  • a combination of both. The beta cells of the pancreas, approx. 1 million, maintain the body's mechanisms for regulation of varying fuel distribution needs for the body tissues. Following the ingestion of food, circulating insulin concentration rise within minutes, peak at about 100uU/mL concentration in about 30 minutes and remain steady as needed. As an example, lean adults, normal state, secrete about 20-30 units of insulin per day.

    An additional variable of insulin resistance would be at the muscle cell-sensitivity level. Depending on the degree of 'exercised muscle' and stored glycogen level, the body's muscles may require little to 'no' insulin to facilitate glucose absorption, (blood glucose levels norm)!.

    Your liver plans a key role in all these metabolic functions, the liver stores ~30 day supply of blood glucose-ready for healing or supplying fuel for the brain or heart, (it's preferred or only fuel source).

    To be effective, insulin must first bind to the cell membrane receptor before glucose can be transported across the cell membrane. Forms of impaired insulin binding, or insulin resistance, is present in most that exhibit impaired glucose tolerance or overt diagnostic high levels of blood glucose.

    The intricacies of diabetes mellitus and understanding all the complexities of this condition continues to evolve, and it seems each case is unique.
    A team approach in management is advised: RN, RD, MD, RPh and several other medical disciplines, however, it is actually the actions of the affected individual who is the determinant of success. Thanks for asking dLife. Be your best.

  • A1c<7&
  • BP<130/80
  • Tchol<200
  • LDL<100
  • HDL>50 for women and >40 for men
  • Tg<150mg/dl. Regards Sue
    • Answered By: Susan Throop
    Accreditations: RD, CDE, MA
    Sources Show

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