A1C

a test that measures a person’s average blood sugar level over the past 2 to 3 months.

see long-acting insulin.

blood sugar level

the amount of glucose in a given amount of blood. It is noted in milligrams in a deciliter, or mg/dL.

bolus insulin

insulin taken to cover an expected rise in blood sugar, often related to a meal or snack. See rapid-acting insulin.

fasting plasma glucose
also fasting blood glucose test.

a check of a person’s blood sugar level after the person has not eaten for 8 to 12 hours (usually overnight). This test is used to diagnose pre-diabetes and diabetes. It is also used to monitor people with diabetes.

FPG

see fasting plasma glucose.

Gestational Diabetes

diabetes that is found for the first time when a woman is pregnant.

hormone

a chemical produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to trigger or regulate particular functions of the body. For example, insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that tells other cells when to use sugar for energy. Synthetic hormones, made for use as medicines, can be the same or different from those made in the body.

hypoglycemia

a condition that occurs when a person’s blood sugar is lower than normal, usually less than 70 mg/dL. Signs include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, perspiration, dizziness or light-headedness, sleepiness, and confusion. If left untreated, hypoglycemia may lead to unconsciousness. Hypoglycemia is treated by consuming a carbohydrate-rich food such as a sugar tablet or juice. It may also be treated with an injection of glucagon if the person is unconscious or unable to swallow.

insulin pen

a device for injecting insulin that looks like an ink pen and holds replaceable cartridges of insulin.

long-acting insulin

a type of insulin that starts to lower blood sugar within 4 to 6 hours after injection and has its strongest ef­fect 10 to 18 hours after injection.

pancreas

an organ that makes insulin and enzymes for digestion. The pancreas is located behind the lower part of the stomach and is about the size of a hand.

postprandial plasma glucose
also postprandial blood glucose.

the blood sugar level taken before eating.

PPG

see postprandial plasma glucose.

pre-diabetes

a condition in which blood sugar levels (fasting plasma glucose) are higher than normal (100 mg/dL) but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes (126 mg/dL). People with pre-diabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. Other names for pre-diabetes are impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose and impaired fasting glucose

type 1 diabetes

a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels caused by a total lack of insulin. Occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas and destroys them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin and therefore blood sugar cannot enter the cells to be used for energy. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults.

type 2 diabetes

a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body’s inabil­ity to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults. Clinically based reports and regional studies suggest that type diabetes, while still rare in children and adoles­cents, is being diagnosed more frequently in children and adolescents, particularly in American Indians, African Americans, and Hispanic/Latino American populations.