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Related Concept Videos

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose01:02

Glucose Homeostasis: Regulation of Blood Glucose

Carbohydrates consumed through foods are converted into glucose, a crucial energy source for the body. In the prandial state, high blood glucose levels stimulate the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Insulin inhibits hepatic glucose production and stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism by muscle and adipose tissue. The excess glucose is converted into glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
During fasting, when blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas secretes glucagon. it...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Hypoglycemia01:26

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...
Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion01:27

Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion

The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State01:21

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State, or HHS, is a serious and life-threatening complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by three main features: severe hyperglycemia, profound dehydration, and elevated serum osmolality, all occurring without significant ketoacidosis.HHS typically develops in older adults or individuals with limited access to fluids. This may result from illness, cognitive impairment, or medications such as diuretics or corticosteroids. These factors reduce...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

Glucose control in sepsis.

B Taylor Thompson1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Medical Intensive Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. tthompson1@partners.org

Clinics in Chest Medicine
|October 29, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Hyperglycemia in critical illness is common. Insulin therapy may improve outcomes, but careful glucose control is needed, especially in sepsis patients, to avoid hypoglycemia.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Critical care medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical nutrition

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia is frequent in critical illness and linked to poor outcomes.
  • Insulin therapy targeting normal glucose levels (80-110 mg/dL) has shown benefits in general critical care populations.
  • Patients with septic shock face increased hypoglycemia risk; trials in severe sepsis show no clear benefit from strict glucose control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence on glucose control in critical illness.
  • To discuss the risks and benefits of insulin therapy in sepsis.
  • To inform current recommendations for managing hyperglycemia in severe sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.
  • Analysis of data from heterogeneous critical care populations.
  • Evaluation of specific trials in severe sepsis patients.

Main Results:

  • General critical care populations show improved outcomes with insulin therapy targeting 80-110 mg/dL.
  • Severe sepsis patients may not benefit from normalization of glucose levels and are at higher risk of hypoglycemia.
  • Current guidelines suggest lowering glucose to <150 mg/dL in severe sepsis pending further evidence.

Conclusions:

  • Glucose control in critical illness requires careful consideration of patient population.
  • Insulin therapy protocols should be validated and used cautiously in sepsis.
  • Further research is needed to determine optimal glucose targets (<110 mg/dL vs. <150 mg/dL) in severe sepsis.