Diabetes Glossary

(HLA): proteins located on the surface of the cell that help the immune system identify the cell either as one belonging to the body or Read more»

(HY-per-gly-SEE-mee-uh): excessive blood glucose . Fasting hyperglycemia is blood glucose above a desirable level after a person has fasted for at least 8 hours. Read more»

(HY-per-IN-suh-lih-NEE-mee-uh): a condition in which the level of insulin in the blood is higher than normal. Caused by overproduction of insulin by the Read more»

(HY-per-li-pih-DEE-mee-uh): higher than normal fat and cholesterol levels in the blood.

(HY-per-oz-MOH-lur HY-per-gly-SEE-mik non-kee-TAH-tik) (HHNS): an emergency condition in which one’s blood glucose level is very high and ketones are not present in the blood or urine . Read more»

(HY-per-TEN-shun): a condition present when blood flows through the blood vessels with a force greater than normal. Also called high blood pressure . Hypertension can strain Read more»

(hy-po-gly-SEE-mee-uh): a condition that occurs when one’s blood glucose is lower than normal, usually less than 70 mg/dL . Signs include hunger, nervousness, shakiness, perspiration, Read more»

(un-uh-WARE-ness): a state in which a person does not feel or recognize the symptoms of hypoglycemia. People who have frequent episodes of Read more»

low blood pressure or a sudden drop in blood pressure. Hypotension may occur when a person rises quickly from a sitting or reclining position, Read more»

Abbreviation for Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus , the former term for Type 1 Diabetes .

(ih-MYOON): the body’s system for protecting itself from viruses and bacteria or any "foreign" substances.  

(ih-MYOON-oh-suh-PRESS-unt): a drug that suppresses the natural immune responses. Immunosuppressants are given to transplant patients to prevent organ rejection or to patients Read more»

drugs that block the body’s ability to fight infection or foreign substances that enter the body. A person receiving a kidney or pancreas transplant Read more»

(IFG): a condition in which a blood glucose test, taken after an 8- to 12-hour fast, shows a level of glucose higher than normal Read more»

(IGT): a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. IGT, also called Read more»