A blood test that measures average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months.
Outdated term for type 2 diabetes.
A type of cell in the pancreas that makes and releases a hormone called glucagon.
Cells in the pancreas that make insulin.
The main sugar found in the blood and the body's main source of energy. Also called blood sugar.
The amount of glucose (sugar) in a given amount of blood. It is reported as the number of milligrams of glucose in a deciliter of blood, or mg/dL.
A hand-held machine that tests blood glucose levels. A drop of blood, obtained by pricking a finger, is placed on a small strip that is inserted in the meter which measures and displays the blood glucose level.
Checking blood glucose (blood sugar) levels on a regular basis in order to manage diabetes. A blood glucose meter is needed for frequent blood glucose monitoring.
One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that provide carbohydrate include starches, breads, vegetables, fruits, milk products, and sugars.
A healthcare professional with expertise in diabetes education who has met eligibility requirements and successfully completed a certification exam.
An emergency condition in which extremely high blood glucose levels, along with a severe lack of insulin, result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. DKA can cause nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor, and rapid breathing. Untreated DKA can lead to coma and death.
The amount of a medicine to be taken within a given period.
One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that provide fat include butter, margarine, salad dressing, oil, nuts, meat, poultry, fish, and some dairy products. Excess calories are stored as body fat, providing the body with a reserve supply of energy.
A specific, unchanging amount of a medicine.
A hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas. Glucagon raises blood glucose by releasing glucose from liver. Glucagon is also available as an injectable drug for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
The sugar that the body makes from the three elements of food — proteins, fats, and carbohydrates — but mostly from carbohydrates. Glucose is the major source of energy for living cells. Because glucose is carried to each cell through the bloodstream, it is often called "blood glucose" or "blood sugar."
Also called high blood glucose. Hyperglycemia can happen when the body does not have enough insulin or when the body can't use insulin properly. Symptoms may include excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, blurred vision, and fatigue.
Also called low blood glucose. Symptoms may include sweating, trembling, hunger, dizziness, moodiness, confusion, and blurred vision.
A class of type 2 diabetes drugs that "mimic" the effects of naturally occurring hormones from the intestines and can help the body make more of its own insulin.
A hormone produced in the pancreas by beta cells, which is necessary for glucose (blood sugar) to be able to enter certain cells of the body and be used for energy.
Outdated term for type 1 diabetes.
The body's inability to respond to and use the insulin it produces. Insulin resistance may be linked to obesity, hypertension, and high levels of fat in the blood.
Chemical substances that are made by the body when fat is used as a fuel source instead of glucose. When ketones build up to a great extent in the body, serious illness or coma can result.
A large organ in the body that has many functions, including the production and storage of glucose.
Outdated term for type 2 diabetes.
The generic name for an oral anti-diabetic medicine (brand name: Glucophage®) that works by decreasing the amount of glucose that your liver makes on its own. It also works by making the cells in your body more sensitive to the insulin in your body.
An organ located behind the lower part of the stomach that produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, and releases them into the bloodstream to help control blood glucose levels. The pancreas also produces digestive enzymes.
One of the three main nutrients in food. Foods that provide protein include meat, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, dairy products, eggs, and dried beans. Proteins are also used in the body to build cells, to create insulin and other hormones, and other functions.
A container for disposal of used needles and syringes; often made of hard plastic so that needles cannot poke through.
A class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose by helping the pancreas to make more insulin. Examples include Amaryl® (glimepiride), Glucotrol® (glipizide), and Micronase® (glyburide).
A class of oral medicine for type 2 diabetes that helps lower blood glucose by making cells more sensitive to insulin. Examples include Actos® (pioglitazone) and Avandia® (rosiglitazone).
A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a lack of insulin production. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults and affects 10% of people living with diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to sustain life.
A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people, and is the most common form of diabetes.
Meal-time Dosing
- Does meal size matter for BYETTA dosing?
- How far apart do BYETTA injections have to be given?
- What if I take BYETTA and don't eat, or I eat more than an hour after the injection?
- What if I forget to take BYETTA and eat a meal?
- What should I be eating?
- How much should I eat at each meal?
- When should I eat?
- Where do I find information about eating right and exercising?
Does meal size matter for BYETTA dosing?
No. The dose for BYETTA is the same, no matter how big or small your meal. You should not take BYETTA if you do not eat.
How far apart do BYETTA injections have to be given?
You should take your BYETTA doses within 60 minutes (1 hour) before your morning and evening meals (or before your two main meals of the day, approximately 6 hours or more apart).
What if I take BYETTA and don't eat, or I eat more than an hour after the injection?
You should eat within 60 minutes of injecting BYETTA. If you are taking a medicine that contains a sulfonylurea with your BYETTA, your risk of low blood glucose (blood sugar) will be higher.
What if I forget to take BYETTA and eat a meal?
If you forget to take a dose of BYETTA, skip that dose and wait until it is time for your next scheduled dose. DO NOT DOUBLE your next dose to "catch up" for missing a dose. Do not take BYETTA after eating a meal.
What should I be eating?
A healthy meal plan is one of the most important things you can do to help control your diabetes. Eating right doesn't mean you can't enjoy food anymore. It's more about knowing what's healthy and what's not, and finding foods you like that are good for you, too. Changing your diet to include healthier choices and preparing them more healthfully can make a big difference. A registered dietician can help you develop a meal plan that works for you.
For more information about healthy eating, please visit the following websites:
- American Diabetes Association
- American Dietetic Association
- LillyDiabetes.com
- National Agricultural Library
- USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
How much should I eat at each meal?
How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Since overeating is a major cause of obesity and other health problems, eating the right-sized portions is key to a healthier lifestyle.
Limit your serving sizes of meat to the size of the palm of your hand, or a deck of cards. Try to keep your servings of starchy vegetables and carbohydrates to the amount you could fit in your cupped hand. As a rule, if it looks like a lot of food to you, it probably is, so reduce your portions. Also, try eating more slowly. You will feel more full with less food. If you are dining out, don't feel you need to finish your plate. Stick with your plan to limit your portions, and remember, you can always take the rest home to eat another time.
When should I eat?
You should eat three meals a day at about the same time each day. If you eat a big dinner one day and a small dinner the next, your blood glucose levels will be harder to control. If you snack, you should also try to snack at the same time each day. Talk with your healthcare professional about how many meals and snacks to eat each day.
Where do I find information about eating right and exercising?
There are many websites devoted to exercise and healthy eating. The following sites are a good place to start:
- American Diabetes Association
- American Dietetic Association
- LillyDiabetes.com
- National Agricultural Library
- USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
