Untreated diabetic + ketosis = even higher blood sugar?

In summary, type 1 diabetics do not have to rely on ketone bodies for energy when insulin is not present. This could lead to weight loss in untreated diabetics, as their other body cells can't function without ketone bodies.
  • #1
Lo.Lee.Ta.
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Since most normal body cells do need insulin to take up glucose, do type 1 diabetics instead have to run off of ketone bodies when insulin is not present?
*If this is the case, wouldn't weight loss in untreated type 1 diabetics actually make their blood sugar go even higher but also be necessary, since their other body cells can't function without ketone bodies for fuel?

Thanks! :)
 
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  • #2
In order to break down body fat or muscle, do you first have to undergo glycogenolysis and then gluconeogenesis?

I assume ketone bodies (made in the liver from fatty acids) are just used as a way to export acetyl CoA (derived from body fat, fat from food, muscle, or protein from food) to other body cells... Is this right?

In order to even break down fat and access the fatty acids, don't you have to be out of sugar to metabolize?
Does the drop in blood sugar trigger glycogenolysis and then gluconeogenesis after glycogen stores are depleted?
I was thinking that gluconeogenesis was the only way fat or protein could get broken down...

Is that right...? :/ ...very confused... :(
Thanks so much!
 
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  • #3
My understanding is that monosaccharides circulating in the bloodstream enter cells to undergo cellular respiration.
Glucose requires insulin to enter cells, but fructose and galactose do not (insulin-independent)?

Is the above statement correct?

I was wondering, then, if untreated diabetics only ate fructose and galactose-would their blood sugar always be normal? They wouldn't need insulin, then, it seems...
 
  • #4
Glucose is taken into cells using GLUT proteins, which enable their facilitated diffusion. GLUT4 proteins found in muscles cells are not permanently present in the plasma membrane, and are usually kept in the cytoplasm. When insulin binds to its specific receptor outside the cell, thr GLUT4 proteins fuse with the plasma membrane, and glucose is then able to move into the cell. In reality of course, insulin concentrations vary continuously, and so does the number of these protein molecules present on the plasma membranes of muscle cells.

Brain cells and liver cells have GLUT1 and GLUT2 proteins respectively, and these are always present in the plasma membrane of these cells, so their glucose uptake would continue even in the absence of insulin.
 
  • #6

1. What is the difference between untreated diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?

Untreated diabetes refers to a condition where a person with diabetes is not receiving proper medical treatment, such as insulin therapy or medication, to manage their blood sugar levels. Diabetic ketoacidosis, on the other hand, is a life-threatening complication of diabetes where the body produces high levels of blood acids called ketones, causing a dangerous increase in blood sugar levels.

2. How does untreated diabetes lead to diabetic ketoacidosis?

Untreated diabetes can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis because without proper treatment, the body is unable to use insulin effectively to regulate blood sugar levels. This causes a buildup of ketones in the blood, leading to a state of ketosis. If left untreated, this can progress to diabetic ketoacidosis.

3. What are the symptoms of untreated diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis?

Symptoms of untreated diabetes can include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, fatigue, and blurred vision. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis can include high blood sugar levels, high levels of ketones in the urine, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and confusion.

4. How is diabetic ketoacidosis treated?

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment in a hospital. Treatment typically involves intravenous fluids to rehydrate the body, insulin therapy to lower blood sugar levels, and electrolyte replacement to restore balance in the body.

5. Can diabetic ketoacidosis be prevented?

Diabetic ketoacidosis can be prevented by properly managing and treating diabetes. This includes following a healthy diet, taking prescribed medications or insulin, monitoring blood sugar levels regularly, and seeking medical help if experiencing any symptoms of high blood sugar. It is important for people with diabetes to work closely with their healthcare team to prevent complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

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