Carol is 17 years old and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 7 years. Carol has had a recent hospital admission for dehydration and high blood glucose. During the admission Carol was found to be 6 weeks pregnant. Prior to the admission she had experiencing weight loss and changes in mood. Diabetes, classified as either Type 1 or Type 2, is a disease that affects metabolism, causing insufficient processing of glucose within the body and numerous physiological side effects. This essay, with reference to the above case study, explores the pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and its symptoms, including the ways in which these physiological abnormalities may affect a developing fetus within the first trimester of pregnancy. …show more content…
Some of this intake will be used immediately and some will be stored in fat cells for future use. Insulin is vital to both processes, by binding to the extracellular domains of receptor proteins found on the surfaces of liver, muscle and fat cells. Once bound, glucose transport proteins will move to the surface of the cell, ready to accept the glucose molecule through the cell membrane. This happens throughout the body for energy production and so the glucose concentration in the blood stream lowers once more, allowing the body to maintain glucose homeostasis. In a diabetic system, insulin is not present so glucose is neither used immediately for cell respiration, nor stored for later use. This allows blood glucose levels to rise uninhibited, resulting in Hyperglycaemia which triggers further symptoms. The most severe of these is Diabetic Ketoacidosis, which occurs when blood glucose levels have remained consistently high for a prolonged period of time. Without the ability to process new energy sources the body uses emergency stores, breaking down tissues for fuel. Ketones are produced as a result and if left to build up will make the body acidic. Diabetic Ketoacidosis is potentially fatal through severe dehydration, swelling on the brain and