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Insulitis means inflammation inside the tiny insulin-making parts of the pancreas, called the islets of Langerhans. In this condition, many immune cells (T cells, B cells, macrophages and other white blood cells) move into and around the islets. They crowd the beta cells that make insulin and can slowly damage or kill them. PMC+1 Insulitis…

Pancreatic beta cell dysfunction means that the special cells in the pancreas that make insulin are not working properly. These beta cells live in small groups called islets, and their main job is to sense the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood and release the right amount of insulin. When they become weak, damaged,…

Congenital hyperinsulinism is a disease in which a baby or child makes too much insulin from the pancreas, even when the blood sugar is already low. Insulin is a hormone that normally helps move sugar (glucose) from the blood into the body’s cells for energy. In this condition, insulin release is “inappropriate”, so blood sugar…

Congenital hyperinsulinemia (CHI) is a rare condition where a baby or child’s pancreas makes too much insulin from birth or early life. Insulin lowers blood sugar, so these children have repeated low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which can damage the brain if it is not treated quickly and well. National Organization for Rare Disorders+1 Congenital hyperinsulinemia…

Hyperinsulinemia means that there is more insulin in the blood than the body normally needs, compared with the level of blood sugar (glucose). Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells for energy. In hyperinsulinemia, the pancreas makes and releases extra insulin for a…

Hyperinsulinism means that the body is making too much insulin compared with the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Insulin is a hormone made by the beta cells in the pancreas. Its main job is to move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells, where it is used for energy or stored for…

Insulin resistance means that the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, the hormone that helps move sugar (glucose) from the blood into the cells for energy. The main tissues affected are muscle, liver, and fat (adipose) tissue. When cells resist insulin, the pancreas makes more insulin to keep blood sugar normal, which can…

Whipple’s triad hypoglycemia means true low blood sugar proven by three things happening together. Doctors use it to be sure that a person’s symptoms really come from hypoglycemia and not from another problem such as anxiety or poor sleep. NCBI+1 Whipple’s triad is a classic way doctors confirm true hypoglycemia. It has three parts: you…

Hypoglycemia means that the sugar (glucose) level in your blood is lower than it should be for your body to work safely. Glucose is the main fuel for your brain and for your muscles. When blood sugar falls too low, your brain and other organs do not get enough energy, and this causes many warning…