Integration of Metabolism

• The connecting peptide of pro-insulin is cleaved before secretion and the other two components form sulfide bonds to form insulin
• The C-peptide level is an indication of insulin secretion so that we can negate the levels of injected insulin
• Secretion of insulin occurs in phases

  • 1st phase: rapid, high amplitude
  • 2nd phase: more prolonged release
• Acidosis is a severe drop in pH due to the massive production of ketone bodies, lactate and fatty acids
• Drinking and urinating heaps

  • Hyperglycemia changes the osmotic strength of blood, causing water to be drawn out of tissues
• Massive weight loss

  • Uncontrolled lipolysis and proteolysis
• Sugar in urine

  • Kidneys can no longer reabsorb glucose
• Sweet/organic breath

  • Spontaneous decarboxylation of ketone bodies to acetone