Do diabetics have sugary interstitial fluid?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lo.Lee.Ta.
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fluid
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the composition of interstitial fluid in individuals with diabetes, specifically regarding the presence of glucose in the absence of insulin. Participants explore the mechanisms of glucose transport from capillaries to interstitial fluid and the implications for blood sugar levels in diabetic conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that capillaries leak blood plasma containing sugar and nutrients into the interstitial fluid, questioning the sugar concentration in interstitial fluid when insulin is absent or ineffective.
  • Another participant inquires about the relationship between high blood sugar levels and interstitial fluid sugar concentration.
  • A later reply explains that continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can measure glucose levels in interstitial fluid, noting a time lag compared to blood plasma, and asserts that interstitial fluid would contain high glucose levels in uncontrolled diabetes.
  • It is proposed that high glucose levels in plasma would correlate with high glucose levels in interstitial fluid, particularly in diabetic individuals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express curiosity about the topic, and while some points are clarified, there is no consensus on the exact dynamics of glucose transport and concentration in interstitial fluid in diabetic conditions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not address specific mechanisms of glucose reabsorption or the precise physiological processes involved, leaving some assumptions and dependencies on definitions unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in diabetes management, physiology of glucose transport, and the use of continuous glucose monitoring technology may find this discussion relevant.

Lo.Lee.Ta.
Messages
217
Reaction score
0
So my understanding is that capillaries leak out their blood plasma containing sugar and other nutrients insulin (when sugar present)near body cells, and this is what comprises interstitial fluid.
But what if no insulin is present (Type 1 diabetes) or insulin creates no response (Type 2 diabetes)?
Does the interstitial fluid just remain sugary since the glucose can't enter the cells?
My understanding is that capillaries only use diffusion as transport, so they can't reabsorb glucose from the interstitial fluid, right?
When someone has a "high blood sugar," does this also mean that interstitial fluid sugar concentration is also high...?

Thanks SO much! :)
I have been researching this forever but can't find a clear answer! #=_=
 
Any answer?, i want to know too.
 
Continues Glucose Monitors (CGM) used in people with diabetes to track their blood glucose levels every 5 minutes or so can be used to check their blood glucose from the interstitial fluid, obviously there is a time-lag between the blood that is directly from plasma and the interstitial fluid, of about 10 minutes. So to answer the question, yes interstitial fluid would contain high glucose if a person is diabetic and didn't main their glucose levels with insulin (Mainly T1) and (Oral Meds T2).

Blood flow rich in glucose from capillaries would leak into the interstitial fluid, when their glucose plasma is high, it will also mean their interstitial fluid is high in glucose too.
 
Thank you Kiyal,
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
20K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
927