Loops of Insulin Gravity & their effects on T1D

In a previous blog, "The Insulin Gravity Phenomenon", I mentioned a bit about what I learned about Insulin Gravity, its 2 loops, and how they affect type 1 diabetes management. Here is a more detailed breakdown of what each loop is and what they represent for type 1 diabetics.

INSULIN

The upper loop (above 180↑ mgdL / 10↑ mmol)

In the upper loop (Hyperglycemia-induced insulin resistance) blood glucose levels remain high and insulin resistance spikes due to chronic inflammation from oxidative stress, adrenaline and cortisol release which promote glucose release into the bloodstream. This, in turn, causes insulin sensitivity to plummet downward, making it difficult for insulin to be easily absorbed by the body. That is the reason why for type 1 diabetics, uncontrolled high BGs are often stubborn and multiple bolus corrections are necessary.

The inevitable consequences of consistent elevated BG levels due to oxidative stress and an excess availability of glucose in the blood and fat cells lead to diabetic complications like glycation, retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease and accelerated aging within the body.

The lower loop (below 72↓ mgdL / 3.9↓ mmol)

In the lower loop (Reactive Hypoglycemia), both glucose supply and energy regulation are compromised. Although insulin resistance lowers and improves, low blood glucose levels continue to drop chronically due to the impaired glucagon hormone signaling between the pancreas and the liver. Among other things, the gastric emptying of the stomach is delayed by the brain (it goes into survival mode to conserve glucose) by slowing down the Vagkal!us nerve signaling to the stomach. This constitutes for why it takes so long for the BG level to rise back up. It's not that more glucose is required for the BG levels to rise, it's just taking longer.

When left untreated, this condition over time can lead to gastric digestive problems, and in severe cases, unconsciousness and brain damage.

Together, both loops are often called a "glycemic rollercoaster".

Hope this information was useful for you as it was for me. Skal!