Insulin Levels during Pregnancy or Obesity in Normoglycemic Women with a Positive History of Diabetes Mellitus[*]

Abstract

Insulin levels were evaluated during pregnancy or obesity in normoglycemic women with or without a history suggestive of diabetes mellitus. Standard oral or intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed. The insulin levels were compared according to variance analysis with fixed two way classification. During the oral glucose tolerance test, the peak of insulin occured later and the insulin level remained higher in obese or pregnant patients with a positive history of diabetes in comparison with normal women. During the intravenous glucose load, the peak of insulin is reduced but remained at a high level for a longer period of time. It appears thus that two metabolic situations, pregnancy or obesity, may trigger off an abnormal insulin pattern in women suspected of diabetes in the presence of normal glucose tolerance.

Key words

Pregnancy - Obesity - Oral GTT - Intravenous GTT - Insulin level - Blood Sugar - Diabetes - Family History of Diabetes Mellitus

1 The results have been presented in part at the 6th Congress of the International Diabetes Federation, Stockholm, July 1967. This work was supported by grants from the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Medicale and the Fondation Medicale Reine Elisabeth.

1 The results have been presented in part at the 6th Congress of the International Diabetes Federation, Stockholm, July 1967. This work was supported by grants from the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Medicale and the Fondation Medicale Reine Elisabeth.

2 Aspirant du Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique.

3 Maitre de Conferences. Facultés Notre-Dame de la Paix - Namur.

4 Chercheur qualifié - Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique.