What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a health condition that causes the level of glucose [a form of sugar] in the blood to get too high. Over time, high glucose can lead to health problems.
To better understand what diabetes is, knowing more about glucose and insulin [a hormone produced by the pancreas] can be helpful.
- Glucose: The body breaks down food eaten into glucose. The liver also makes and releases stored glucose. The bloodstream carries glucose to cells throughout the body. Cells need glucose to make the energy the body needs to work.
- Insulin: To help glucose get into the cells of the body, the pancreas [an organ near the stomach] makes and releases insulin. Insulin attaches to each cell and “unlocks and opens the door” to allow the glucose to enter. Once the glucose is inside the cell, the body can use glucose for energy.
What causes diabetes?
Everyone has glucose in their blood. But for people who have diabetes, the amount of glucose is too high because of a combination of the following factors:
- Insulin deficiency: The pancreas makes no insulin or less insulin than normal.
- Insulin resistance: The cells do not respond to insulin properly. The cell “door” does not open. Extra body fat may contribute to insulin resistance.
- Glucose overproduction: The liver makes and/or releases too much-stored glucose at the wrong time [usually overnight].
As a result of this combination of factors, glucose builds up in the blood.
Endocrinologists treat disorders of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a series of glands that secrete hormones. Hormones, like the thyroid hormone or insulin, are chemicals that affect the action of organ systems. diagnose and treat:
- Diabetes or diabetes that is difficult to manage with standard treatment
- Thyroid diseases or disorders
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Low testosterone
- Osteoporosis
- Metabolic disorders
- Disorders of the adrenal and pituitary glands
- Certain cancers, like endocrine gland cancer
Dr. Kristin Stevenson
Dr. Kristin Stevenson is an endocrinologist seeing patients in person at the Upland Hills Health Specialty Clinic in Dodgeville the third Tuesday of each month. Ask your primary care provider for a referral to see Dr. Stevenson.
