Diagnosis of Diabetes: The Size and Nature of Carbohydrate Load

Abstract

The blood sugar (eighteen subjects) and serum insulin levels (sixteen subjects) following the administration of 30 gm. glucose and 45 gm. glucose per square meter of body surface area were compared. In the patients studied, the larger glucose load resulted in significantly greater blood glucose responses (area under the curve, two-hour blood glucose, three-hour blood glucose) and increased sensitivity of the test. The areas under the glucose and insulin curves with the two different glucose loads had a linear relationship, thereby providing some basis for the comparison of data obtained by the use of different amounts of glucose administered on the basis of the body surface area. The blood glucose levels following the administration of seven ounces of Glucola (75 gm. carbohydrate solution) were compared with those following the administration of (1) 100 gm. glucose in twenty-seven subjects and (2) 1.75gm. glucose/kg, of ideal body weight in twelve subjects. Although the interpretation of the individual glucose tolerance tests changed in twelve subjects, the areas under the glucose tolerance curves and summed glucose values were not significantly different whether Glucola or the two glucose loads were used thus demonstrating similarity of the Glucola and the glucose loads.