Juan is a 44-year-old who works in a warehouse. He is 5′8″, weighs 185 pounds, and has a waist circumference of 41″. At his last visit to the health clinic, Juan’s blood pressure was 140/60 mm Hg. Shortly after having a series of blood tests, his physician called him in to talk about the results. Juan had a fasting plasma glucose level of 107 mg/dL, an HDL level of 37 mg/dL, and a serum triglyceride level of 210 mg/dL.
- What condition is Juan likely presenting with? What are the spectrum of physiological abnormalities that occur with this disorder?
- What is the significance of Juan’s waist diameter? How is truncal obesity hypothesized to increase insulin resistance in the body?
- In type 1 diabetes, there are hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. In type 2 diabetes, it is common to see hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. Why do the differences exist?