
July 1, 1999
Diagnosis and Symptoms, Hypoglycemia
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Question from Bethesda, Maryland, USA:
I have heard that hypoglycemia in children and young adults is now considered a possible pre-diabetic condition. What metabolic changes lead from hypoglycemia to hyperglycemia with aging?
Answer:
From: DTeam Staff
The hypoglycemia that is an occasional predictor of clinical diabetes is due to a delay in what is called ‘first phase insulin release’. What this means is that the normal prompt response of the islet cells to a rise in blood sugar is not yet absent; but is delayed for several hours. This in turn leads to inappropriate hyperinsulinemia at a time after a meal when the glucose rise has subsided.
DOB