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Terminology

G

Gadget_man

Well-Known Member
Messages
73
Type of diabetes
Prefer not to say
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
I'm new to the forum, as some will already know, and I'm scrambling hard to understand what's happening to me as far as my metabolism is concerned. By that I mean I'm struggling with the different concepts I have to understand when it comes to my blood sugar, blood glucose, fasting levels, HbaC1 etc and I'm probably not the first, or last, to be confused.

Is there a thread, site, forum that explains things simply, in basic English and is NOT American ( I. e. NOT Diabetes 101), that doesn't lead off tangentially all the time?

I'd really appreciate any help here as I'm struggling to interpret where I sit on the Diabetic spectrum.
 
azure said:
This site itself has some info pages @Gadget_man eg

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/fasting-blood-sugar-levels.html

Is that the kind of thing you're after or do you want more detailed information?
Click to expand...

That's been helpful, I read that earlier, but it's trying to understand glucose intolerant, glucose sensitive, why my blood readings crash below 4.0 after a couple of hours from eating, all that sort of stuff. I've found some explanations but they're in different places and use American terminology and readings to explain and it loses me. I'm really wanting an ABC book I suppose, in one place, in English English not Americanese, and at Noddy level.
 
I'm Type 1 so unfortunately I can't recommend a Type 2 book (Noddy level or other wise : D )

What I can say though is not to be afraid to ask questions here. That's what the Ask A Question section is for. No matter how trivial, no matter how often you think your question might have been asked, don't worry - just ask away :)
 
Gadget_man said:
I'm new to the forum, as some will already know, and I'm scrambling hard to understand what's happening to me as far as my metabolism is concerned. By that I mean I'm struggling with the different concepts I have to understand when it comes to my blood sugar, blood glucose, fasting levels, HbaC1 etc and I'm probably not the first, or last, to be confused.

Is there a thread, site, forum that explains things simply, in basic English and is NOT American ( I. e. NOT Diabetes 101), that doesn't lead off tangentially all the time?

I'd really appreciate any help here as I'm struggling to interpret where I sit on the Diabetic spectrum.
Click to expand...

Well I can try to help a bit

Blood sugar/glucose are the same things and are the readings you get from your meter which are the levels of sugar in your blood at the time you take the test.

Fasting levels are the ones taking in the morning before you eating anything and are usually abbreviated to FBG (Fasting blood glucose). These shouldn't be confused with fasting blood tests for cholesterol when you are asked not to eat anything for 12 hours before the drawing of bloods.

HbA1c is the test most GP's use to assess if you are diabetic or not. 42-47 is considered pre-diabetic 48 and over is proper Type 2. This is a measure of the average of your blood sugar/glucose levels over the past 2 or 3 months(depends on how quickly your blood renews)
 
The book - Reverse Your Diabetes by Dr. David Cavan is a very good primer on diabetes. It's an easy read and packed with very useful information. It may not help you reverse the condition, but will help you understabd it and manage it better.
 
bulkbiker said:
Well I can try to help a bit

Blood sugar/glucose are the same things and are the readings you get from your meter which are the levels of sugar in your blood at the time you take the test.

Fasting levels are the ones taking in the morning before you eating anything and are usually abbreviated to FBG (Fasting blood glucose). These shouldn't be confused with fasting blood tests for cholesterol when you are asked not to eat anything for 12 hours before the drawing of bloods.

HbA1c is the test most GP's use to assess if you are diabetic or not. 42-47 is considered pre-diabetic 48 and over is proper Type 2. This is a measure of the average of your blood sugar/glucose levels over the past 2 or 3 months(depends on how quickly your blood renews)
Click to expand...

Thank you for all that, most helpful
 
miahara said:
The book - Reverse Your Diabetes by Dr. David Cavan is a very good primer on diabetes. It's an easy read and packed with very useful information. It may not help you reverse the condition, but will help you understabd it and manage it better.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I'll look into getting a copy ASAP
 
There are also a couple of books you may find useful.

Diabetes for Dummies is written by a doctor, so it is from the doc's perspective, explains a lot of things from a fairly orthodox viewpoint. I found it useful mainly because I rebel a bit against orthodoxy, and it helped me to understand things from the standard point of view. Once I had that understanding I could then make more sense of some of the things the NHS says and does. :)

And yes, that book by David Cavan is good, but there are others that you can use to go deeper.

I know you want English English, but the www.bloodsugar101.com website is astonishingly good. Once you have the basics, go there. The only thing that will interfere with your understanding is that the blood glucose numbers are American, but all you need to do is divide by 18 to translate into English. So an American bloodtest of 180 units = a British bloodtest of 10mm0l/l
 
Brunneria said:
There are also a couple of books you may find useful.

Diabetes for Dummies is written by a doctor, so it is from the doc's perspective, explains a lot of things from a fairly orthodox viewpoint. I found it useful mainly because I rebel a bit against orthodoxy, and it helped me to understand things from the standard point of view. Once I had that understanding I could then make more sense of some of the things the NHS says and does. :)

And yes, that book by David Cavan is good, but there are others that you can use to go deeper.

I know you want English English, but the www.bloodsugar101.com website is astonishingly good. Once you have the basics, go there. The only thing that will interfere with your understanding is that the blood glucose numbers are American, but all you need to do is divide by 18 to translate into English. So an American bloodtest of 180 units = a British bloodtest of 10mm0l/l
Click to expand...

Thanks for that.

The book for Dummies isn't American us it? I'm afraid I find their literature on just about anything awful.
 
Gadget_man said:
Thanks for that.

The book fir Dummies isn't American us it? I'm afraid I find their literature on just about anything awful.
Click to expand...

It is a good few years since I read it, I am afraid, so can't say. Have a look on Amazon, and check out the publisher and author, that should give you the info. :)
 
Brunneria said:
It is a good few years since I read it, I am afraid, so can't say. Have a look on Amazon, and check out the publisher and author, that should give you the info. :)
Click to expand...

It is by British medico's and I've sent for a copy. Thanks again for the heads up.
 
@Gadget_man ,many moons ago some forum member put together a list of abbreviations and terminology used in association with diabetes, here's the list if you want to take a look:

  • Amylin (Islet Amyloid Polypeptide) - Slows the rate at which digested carbohydrate appears as glucose in the blood and thus reduces total insulin demand
  • Basal - referred to as the slow acting insulin used to cover your bodies own glucose stores
  • Beta cells - Pancreatic cells responsible for the production of insulin, amylin and C-peptide
  • BG - blood glucose (this is the measurement of glucose circulating in the blood)
  • Biphasic insulin - An insulin mixture containing both fast acting and slow acting insulin, usually injected twice daily
  • Bolus - referred to as the fast acting insulin used to cover food, typically carbohydrates, some cover for protein as well.
  • BP - Blood Pressure
  • Brittle diabetes (labile diabetes) - Most often seen in type 1
  • BS - blood sugar (as above)
  • CHO - Carbohydrate (Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen)
  • C-peptide - A by-product of normal insulin production
  • CTS - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • CVD - Cardiovascular Disease
  • Double diabetes - Comprises symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes
  • DSN - Diabetic Specialist Nurse
  • ED- Erectile Disorder
  • FS - Frozen Shoulder
  • Fulminant type 1 - An idiopathic subtype which has a very rapid onset and no honeymoon period
  • G.I - Glycemic index. A G.I value tells you how rapidly a particular carbohydrate is turned
  • G.L - Glycemic load. A G.L value takes into account not only G.I, but also the total quantity
  • GAD (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase) - Antibodies test
  • GDM - Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
  • Glucagon - A hormone produced in the alpha cells of the pancreas
  • Glycogen - The storage form of glucose in animals and humans
  • Glycogenesis - Glucose storage, mainly in the liver and muscles
  • Glycogenolysis - The breaking down of glycogen stores in liver and muscle tissue
  • GNG (Gluconeogenesis) - The generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates
  • HBA1C - HbA1c is the scientific shorthand for Glycosylated Haemoglobin
  • HCP/HP - Health care professional
  • HDL - High Density Lipoprotein (the "good" cholesterol)
  • Honeymoon period - The period of time after a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when there is better than expected blood glucose control
  • Hypo - hypoglycaemia (this means blood sugar level is too low)
  • Insulin - A hormone which causes most of the body's cells to take up glucose from the blood
  • Insulin analogues - Genetically altered versions of insulin
  • Insulin antibodies - An immune response to exogenous(injected) insulin
  • Insulin resistance - Normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin level.
  • Ketoacidosis - A severe accumulation of keto acids in the blood, resulting in acidosis
  • Ketones - Ketone bodies are acids left over as a byproduct of ketosis
  • Ketosis - A process in which your body converts fats into energy
  • Lantus - Long-acting insulin analogue used as a basal(background) insulin. Normally injected
  • LDL - Low Density Lipoprotein (the "bad" cholesterol)
  • Levemir - Long-acting insulin analogue used as a basal(background) insulin.
  • LHB (Local Health Board) Welsh equivalent of a PCT (Primary Care Trust)
  • Liver dump - The common term given to glucose production from the liver
  • Low-carb diet - A proportional reduction of dietary carbohydrate
  • MDI - Multiple Daily Injections - an insulin regimen adopted by the majority of type 1 diabetics
  • MODY - Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young refers to a number of dominantly inherited, monogenic defects of insulin secretion. There are currently eight different varieties of MODY
  • Nephropathy - Damage to or disease of the kidneys
  • NICE - National Institute for Clinical Health and Excellence
  • NSF - National Strategic Framework
  • PCT - Primary Care Trust
  • Peripheral neuropathy - Damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system
  • PP - post prandial (this means a period of time after eating, usually recorded as 2 hours but often 1)
  • Pump - Insulin Pump, used as an alternative insulin delivery method to MDI. The pump is connected to you 24/7 and pumps tiny doses of insulin thorought the day, with the ability to give extra doses at meals times and with snacks.
  • Retinopathy - Non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye
  • SHA - Strategic Health Authority
  • Somogyi effect (rebound hyperglycemia) - A high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
  • TG or Trigs Triglycerides - the main component part of VLDL and a significant cause of strokes and heart attacks
  • Type 1 (autoimmune) - The most common form of type 1 diabetes
  • Type 1 (idiopathic) - All forms of type 1 which occur without a known cause
  • Type 1 (surgical) - Diabetes caused by partial or complete removal of the pancreas
  • Type 1.5 - Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), also known as slow onset type 1
  • Type 2 - Diabetes mellitus type 2 is most often attributed to insulin resistance and relative
  • VLDL - Very Low Density Lipoprotein (the "very bad" cholesterol)
  • Young-onset type 2 - Anyone diagnosed with type 2 under the age of 45 is considered young
 
noblehead said:
@Gadget_man ,many moons ago some forum member put together a list of abbreviations and terminology used in association with diabetes, here's the list if you want to take a look:

  • Amylin (Islet Amyloid Polypeptide) - Slows the rate at which digested carbohydrate appears as glucose in the blood and thus reduces total insulin demand
  • Basal - referred to as the slow acting insulin used to cover your bodies own glucose stores
  • Beta cells - Pancreatic cells responsible for the production of insulin, amylin and C-peptide
  • BG - blood glucose (this is the measurement of glucose circulating in the blood)
  • Biphasic insulin - An insulin mixture containing both fast acting and slow acting insulin, usually injected twice daily
  • Bolus - referred to as the fast acting insulin used to cover food, typically carbohydrates, some cover for protein as well.
  • BP - Blood Pressure
  • Brittle diabetes (labile diabetes) - Most often seen in type 1
  • BS - blood sugar (as above)
  • CHO - Carbohydrate (Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen)
  • C-peptide - A by-product of normal insulin production
  • CTS - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • CVD - Cardiovascular Disease
  • Double diabetes - Comprises symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes
  • DSN - Diabetic Specialist Nurse
  • ED- Erectile Disorder
  • FS - Frozen Shoulder
  • Fulminant type 1 - An idiopathic subtype which has a very rapid onset and no honeymoon period
  • G.I - Glycemic index. A G.I value tells you how rapidly a particular carbohydrate is turned
  • G.L - Glycemic load. A G.L value takes into account not only G.I, but also the total quantity
  • GAD (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase) - Antibodies test
  • GDM - Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
  • Glucagon - A hormone produced in the alpha cells of the pancreas
  • Glycogen - The storage form of glucose in animals and humans
  • Glycogenesis - Glucose storage, mainly in the liver and muscles
  • Glycogenolysis - The breaking down of glycogen stores in liver and muscle tissue
  • GNG (Gluconeogenesis) - The generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates
  • HBA1C - HbA1c is the scientific shorthand for Glycosylated Haemoglobin
  • HCP/HP - Health care professional
  • HDL - High Density Lipoprotein (the "good" cholesterol)
  • Honeymoon period - The period of time after a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when there is better than expected blood glucose control
  • Hypo - hypoglycaemia (this means blood sugar level is too low)
  • Insulin - A hormone which causes most of the body's cells to take up glucose from the blood
  • Insulin analogues - Genetically altered versions of insulin
  • Insulin antibodies - An immune response to exogenous(injected) insulin
  • Insulin resistance - Normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin level.
  • Ketoacidosis - A severe accumulation of keto acids in the blood, resulting in acidosis
  • Ketones - Ketone bodies are acids left over as a byproduct of ketosis
  • Ketosis - A process in which your body converts fats into energy
  • Lantus - Long-acting insulin analogue used as a basal(background) insulin. Normally injected
  • LDL - Low Density Lipoprotein (the "bad" cholesterol)
  • Levemir - Long-acting insulin analogue used as a basal(background) insulin.
  • LHB (Local Health Board) Welsh equivalent of a PCT (Primary Care Trust)
  • Liver dump - The common term given to glucose production from the liver
  • Low-carb diet - A proportional reduction of dietary carbohydrate
  • MDI - Multiple Daily Injections - an insulin regimen adopted by the majority of type 1 diabetics
  • MODY - Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young refers to a number of dominantly inherited, monogenic defects of insulin secretion. There are currently eight different varieties of MODY
  • Nephropathy - Damage to or disease of the kidneys
  • NICE - National Institute for Clinical Health and Excellence
  • NSF - National Strategic Framework
  • PCT - Primary Care Trust
  • Peripheral neuropathy - Damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system
  • PP - post prandial (this means a period of time after eating, usually recorded as 2 hours but often 1)
  • Pump - Insulin Pump, used as an alternative insulin delivery method to MDI. The pump is connected to you 24/7 and pumps tiny doses of insulin thorought the day, with the ability to give extra doses at meals times and with snacks.
  • Retinopathy - Non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye
  • SHA - Strategic Health Authority
  • Somogyi effect (rebound hyperglycemia) - A high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
  • TG or Trigs Triglycerides - the main component part of VLDL and a significant cause of strokes and heart attacks
  • Type 1 (autoimmune) - The most common form of type 1 diabetes
  • Type 1 (idiopathic) - All forms of type 1 which occur without a known cause
  • Type 1 (surgical) - Diabetes caused by partial or complete removal of the pancreas
  • Type 1.5 - Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), also known as slow onset type 1
  • Type 2 - Diabetes mellitus type 2 is most often attributed to insulin resistance and relative
  • VLDL - Very Low Density Lipoprotein (the "very bad" cholesterol)
  • Young-onset type 2 - Anyone diagnosed with type 2 under the age of 45 is considered young
Click to expand...
This is a huge part of the jigsaw for me, thank you so much for it. If it isn't already I think this should be available permanently on the site/forum for newbies
 
noblehead said:
@Gadget_man ,many moons ago some forum member put together a list of abbreviations and terminology used in association with diabetes, here's the list if you want to take a look:

  • Amylin (Islet Amyloid Polypeptide) - Slows the rate at which digested carbohydrate appears as glucose in the blood and thus reduces total insulin demand
  • Basal - referred to as the slow acting insulin used to cover your bodies own glucose stores
  • Beta cells - Pancreatic cells responsible for the production of insulin, amylin and C-peptide
  • BG - blood glucose (this is the measurement of glucose circulating in the blood)
  • Biphasic insulin - An insulin mixture containing both fast acting and slow acting insulin, usually injected twice daily
  • Bolus - referred to as the fast acting insulin used to cover food, typically carbohydrates, some cover for protein as well.
  • BP - Blood Pressure
  • Brittle diabetes (labile diabetes) - Most often seen in type 1
  • BS - blood sugar (as above)
  • CHO - Carbohydrate (Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen)
  • C-peptide - A by-product of normal insulin production
  • CTS - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • CVD - Cardiovascular Disease
  • Double diabetes - Comprises symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes
  • DSN - Diabetic Specialist Nurse
  • ED- Erectile Disorder
  • FS - Frozen Shoulder
  • Fulminant type 1 - An idiopathic subtype which has a very rapid onset and no honeymoon period
  • G.I - Glycemic index. A G.I value tells you how rapidly a particular carbohydrate is turned
  • G.L - Glycemic load. A G.L value takes into account not only G.I, but also the total quantity
  • GAD (Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase) - Antibodies test
  • GDM - Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
  • Glucagon - A hormone produced in the alpha cells of the pancreas
  • Glycogen - The storage form of glucose in animals and humans
  • Glycogenesis - Glucose storage, mainly in the liver and muscles
  • Glycogenolysis - The breaking down of glycogen stores in liver and muscle tissue
  • GNG (Gluconeogenesis) - The generation of glucose from non-carbohydrate carbon substrates
  • HBA1C - HbA1c is the scientific shorthand for Glycosylated Haemoglobin
  • HCP/HP - Health care professional
  • HDL - High Density Lipoprotein (the "good" cholesterol)
  • Honeymoon period - The period of time after a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes when there is better than expected blood glucose control
  • Hypo - hypoglycaemia (this means blood sugar level is too low)
  • Insulin - A hormone which causes most of the body's cells to take up glucose from the blood
  • Insulin analogues - Genetically altered versions of insulin
  • Insulin antibodies - An immune response to exogenous(injected) insulin
  • Insulin resistance - Normal amounts of insulin are inadequate to produce a normal insulin level.
  • Ketoacidosis - A severe accumulation of keto acids in the blood, resulting in acidosis
  • Ketones - Ketone bodies are acids left over as a byproduct of ketosis
  • Ketosis - A process in which your body converts fats into energy
  • Lantus - Long-acting insulin analogue used as a basal(background) insulin. Normally injected
  • LDL - Low Density Lipoprotein (the "bad" cholesterol)
  • Levemir - Long-acting insulin analogue used as a basal(background) insulin.
  • LHB (Local Health Board) Welsh equivalent of a PCT (Primary Care Trust)
  • Liver dump - The common term given to glucose production from the liver
  • Low-carb diet - A proportional reduction of dietary carbohydrate
  • MDI - Multiple Daily Injections - an insulin regimen adopted by the majority of type 1 diabetics
  • MODY - Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young refers to a number of dominantly inherited, monogenic defects of insulin secretion. There are currently eight different varieties of MODY
  • Nephropathy - Damage to or disease of the kidneys
  • NICE - National Institute for Clinical Health and Excellence
  • NSF - National Strategic Framework
  • PCT - Primary Care Trust
  • Peripheral neuropathy - Damage to the nerves of the peripheral nervous system
  • PP - post prandial (this means a period of time after eating, usually recorded as 2 hours but often 1)
  • Pump - Insulin Pump, used as an alternative insulin delivery method to MDI. The pump is connected to you 24/7 and pumps tiny doses of insulin thorought the day, with the ability to give extra doses at meals times and with snacks.
  • Retinopathy - Non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye
  • SHA - Strategic Health Authority
  • Somogyi effect (rebound hyperglycemia) - A high blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
  • TG or Trigs Triglycerides - the main component part of VLDL and a significant cause of strokes and heart attacks
  • Type 1 (autoimmune) - The most common form of type 1 diabetes
  • Type 1 (idiopathic) - All forms of type 1 which occur without a known cause
  • Type 1 (surgical) - Diabetes caused by partial or complete removal of the pancreas
  • Type 1.5 - Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), also known as slow onset type 1
  • Type 2 - Diabetes mellitus type 2 is most often attributed to insulin resistance and relative
  • VLDL - Very Low Density Lipoprotein (the "very bad" cholesterol)
  • Young-onset type 2 - Anyone diagnosed with type 2 under the age of 45 is considered young
Click to expand...

Could this useful information be a sticky please @noblehead @azure, @Juicyj, moderators or @Administrator.
 
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