Advertisement

 

doctorslounge.com

 
Powered by
Careerbuilder

 

                    Home  |  Forums  |  Humor  |  Advertising  |  Contact
   Ask a Doctor

   News via RSS

   Newsletter

   Endocrinology

   News

 

 Conferences


   CME

   Forum Archives

   Diseases

   Symptoms

   Labs

   Procedures

   Drugs

   Links

advertisement.gif (61x7 -- 0 bytes)

   Specialties

   Cardiology

   Dermatology

   Endocrinology

   Fertility

   Gastroenterology

   Gynecology

   Hematology

   Infections

   Nephrology

   Neurology

   Oncology

   Orthopedics

   Pediatrics

   Pharmacy

   Primary Care

   Psychiatry

   Pulmonology

   Rheumatology

   Surgery

   Urology

   Other Sections

   Membership

   Research Tools

   Medical Tutorials

   Medical Software

     
 
 

 Headlines:

 
 
 

The Doctors Lounge - Endocrinology Answers

"The information provided on www.doctorslounge.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician."

Back to Endocrinology Answers List

Forum Name: Diabetes

Question: 72 hour fast!


jen77 - Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:49 am

Hi I was wondering what the 72 hour supervised fast is used to determined? Also what does Insulin, cpeptide and ketone levels used to determine?
Dr. Chan Lowe - Wed Jun 13, 2007 11:51 pm

There may be several reasons to undergo a fast. During these times, the body's ability to regulate Blood sugar is tested since there is not an incoming source of Blood sugar.

A normal response to low Blood sugar would be for Insulin levels to go down and counter-Insulin hormones such as glucagon to increase. This response also shifts the body into "fuel making" mode. Ketones are one such alternative energy source for the body (other than glucose).

If the Blood sugar goes abnormally low it may be because there is too much Insulin or too little counter hormones. When the Blood sugar is low, Insulin levels can be measured. C-Peptide is an indirect way of measuring Insulin levels. C-peptide is created when the preinsulin molecule is cut into the Insulin molecule. If ketones are absent during low Blood sugar states it is more likely that too much Insulin is present (inhibiting ketone production). If ketones are present it is more likely that the counter hormones are not quite doing their job.

I hope this helps some. Best wishes.

Check a doctor's response to similar questions

send to a friend

 

advertisement.gif (61x7 -- 0 bytes)
 

Are you a doctor or a nurse?

Do you want to join the Doctors Lounge online medical community?

Participate in editorial activities (publish, peer review, edit) and give a helping hand to the largest online community of patients.

Click on the link below to see the requirements:

Doctors Lounge Membership Application

 
     

 advertisement.gif (61x7 -- 0 bytes)

 

 



We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the HON Foundation. Click to verify.
We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here

Privacy Statement | Terms & Conditions | Editorial Board | About us
Copyright © 2001-2007 The Doctors Lounge. All rights reserved.