Hygiene Atlas

Atlas · Plate IV · Physiology · 03

Endocrine system

Insulin from pancreatic beta cells lowers blood glucose, and glucagon from alpha cells raises it. Diabetes is diagnosed by a fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL or higher, an HbA1c of 6.5% or higher, or a random glucose of 200 mg/dL with symptoms. Long-term steroid use can lead to adrenal crisis under stress, and uncontrolled hyperthyroidism limits vasoconstrictor use.

High-yield facts · 6

  1. Insulin from pancreatic beta cells lowers blood glucose; glucagon from alpha cells raises it.S49
  2. Normal fasting plasma glucose is under 100 mg/dL; 100-125 is prediabetes; 126 or higher (on two tests) is diabetes.S28
  3. HbA1c reflects about 2-3 months of glucose control: under 5.7% normal, 5.7-6.4% prediabetes, 6.5% or higher diabetes.S28
  4. A random glucose of 200 mg/dL or higher with classic symptoms also diagnoses diabetes.S28
  5. Adrenal insufficiency (e.g., long-term corticosteroid use) can cause an adrenal crisis under stress.T8
  6. Hyperthyroidism (e.g., Graves) increases sensitivity to epinephrine; uncontrolled cases are a reason to limit vasoconstrictor.S14

Facts are written in our own words; each tag links to its source. Values marked "sources vary" differ between references, so check the one your program uses.