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Glossary
A-G
H-I
J-Z
- A1C
- a blood test that measures a person’s average blood glucose level over the past 2 to 3 months.
- basal insulin
- see long-acting insulin.
- blood glucose
- the main glucose found in the blood and the body’s main source of energy. Also called blood sugar.
- blood glucose 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 glucose, often related to a meal or snack. See rapid-acting insulin.
- diabetes
- see diabetes mellitus.
- diabetes mellitus
- a disease characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) resulting from the body’s inability to use blood glucose for energy.
- fasting plasma glucose
- also fasting blood glucose test.
a blood test to determine the blood glucose 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.
- glucagon
- a hormone produced by the pancreas. It raises blood glucose. An injectable form of glucagon, available by prescription, may be used to treat severe hypoglycemia.
- glucose
- one of the simplest forms of sugar.
- glucose tablets
- chewable tablets made of pure sugar used for treating hypoglycemia.
