Gestational diabetes mellitis (GDM) is defined as hyperglycaemia that is first seen during pregnancy. It is the most common pregnancy complication and affects approximately 15% of pregnancies. Mothers with GDM are at risk of developing gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and termination of pregnancy via caesarean section. It also increases the risk of other complications including a higher risk of development of type 2 diabetes in both mother and infant.

Unit 1,

Reference: Modzelewski R, Stefanowicz-Rutkowska MM, Matuszewski W, Bandurska-Stankiewicz EM. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-Recent Literature Review. J Clin Med. 2022;11(19):5736. Published 2022 Sep 28.

Ghrelin is a multifaceted gut hormone which activates its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). Ghrelin's hallmark functions are its stimulatory effects on food intake, fat deposition and growth hormone release. Ghrelin is famously known as the “hunger hormone”.

Unit 3,

Reference: Pradhan G, Samson SL, Sun Y. Ghrelin: much more than a hunger hormone. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2013;16(6):619-624.

The special connective tissue of the central nervous system.

Reference: Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary (9th ed) Oxford University Press 2015 ISBN-13: 9780199687817

Glucagon is a hormone produced and secreted by the alpha cells in the Islets of Langerhans within the pancreas. It plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body and acts in opposition to the hormone insulin. Glucagon is administered by injection to counteract diabetic hypoglycaemia.

Unit 3,

Reference: Oxford Concise Colour Medical Dictionary (7th Edition, Kindle Edition) Oxford University Press 2020 ISBN-13: 978-0198836629, p1551

GLP-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs, are a class of medications used primarily in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, although they are also used in some cases for obesity management. They mimic the action of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), a hormone produced in the intestines in response to food intake. GLP-1 plays a crucial role in glucose metabolism and appetite regulation.

Unit 8,

Reference: Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary (9th ed) Oxford University Press 2015 ISBN-13: 9780199687817, p1791

Gluconeogenesis is a metabolic pathway that occurs in the liver and, to a lesser extent, in the kidneys. It is the process by which the body synthesizes new glucose (a sugar) from non-carbohydrate precursors, such as amino acids (from proteins) and glycerol (from fats). Gluconeogenesis is essential for maintaining blood glucose levels within a narrow and healthy range, especially when dietary sources of glucose are limited, such as during fasting or periods of intense physical activity.

Unit 3,

Reference: Oxford Concise Medical Dictionary (9th ed) Oxford University Press 2015 ISBN-13: 9780199687817, p1552

Glucose is a simple sugar, also known as a monosaccharide, and it is a fundamental source of energy for living organisms, including humans. Glucose is an important source of energy in the body and the sole source of energy for the brain. Free glucose is not found in many foods (grapes are an exception); however, glucose is one of the constituents of both sucrose and starch, both of which yield glucose after digestion. Glucose is stored in the body in the form of glycogen. The concentration of glucose in the blood is maintained at around 5 mmol/L by a variety of hormones, principally insulin and glucagon. If the blood-glucose concentration falls below this level neurological and other symptoms may result (see HYPOGLYCAEMIA). Conversely, if the blood-glucose level is raised above its normal level, to 10 mmol/L, the condition of hyperglycaemia develops. This is a symptom of diabetes mellitus.

Unit 2,

Reference: Oxford Concise Colour Medical Dictionary (7th Edition, Kindle Edition) Oxford University Press 2020 ISBN-13: 978-0198836629, p1552

GLUTs are passive membrane transporters that pass glucose and other similar substrates like fructose, mannose, ascorbate, and urate ions. They have been classified into three classes based on their sequence similarity and substrate affinity. The Class I GLUTs (1–4 and 14) facilitate the uptake of glucose and other hexoses, but not fructose. The Class II GLUTs (5, 7, 9 and 11) are fructose transporters, and Class III GLUTs (6, 8, 10, 12, and 13 (HMIT1)) are structurally atypical members.

Unit 3,

Reference: Ismail A, Tanasova M. Importance of GLUT Transporters in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(15):8698. Published 2022 Aug 4.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is a common enzyme that, because of similarities to certain bacterial proteins, can provoke an autoimmune reaction against beta cells of the pancreas progressing to type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Unit 4,

Reference: Oxford Concise Colour Medical Dictionary (7th Edition, Kindle Edition) Oxford University Press 2020 ISBN-13: 978-0198836629, p1553

Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) is a blood test that provides information about a person's average blood glucose levels over the past two to three months. Instead of measuring the blood glucose at a specific point in time, like fasting or after a meal, the HbA1c test reflects the average blood sugar level during that extended period.

Unit 4,

Reference: Gilstrap LG, Chernew ME, Nguyen CA, et al. Association Between Clinical Practice Group Adherence to Quality Measures and Adverse Outcomes Among Adult Patients With Diabetes. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(8):e199139. Published 2019 Aug 2.