NovoLog® Diabetes Glossary

A1C: A test that can be done at your doctor’s office that measures how well your blood sugar has been controlled over the past 2 to 3 months. 

Bad cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. A high level of bad cholesterol can lead to a number of health problems. 

Basal insulin analog: An insulin treatment that closely mimics your body's basal insulin rate. Basal insulin may be taken by injection as part of diabetes treatment.

Basal insulin rate: A steady level of insulin released by the body throughout the day and night.

Bolus insulin analog: An insulin treatment that closely mimics your body's bolus insulin release. Bolus insulin may be taken by injection as part of diabetes treatment.

Bolus insulin release: Short bursts of insulin released by the body that cover the rise in blood sugar that occurs after meals or snacks.

Cholesterol: A fat-like substance that is found in the bloodstream and body tissue. Cholesterol is used by the body to make hormones and build cell walls. However, too much cholesterol can cause problems. 

Dietitian: A health care professional who advises people about meal planning, weight control, and diabetes management. 

Endocrinologist: A doctor who treats people who have endocrine gland problems such as diabetes. 

Fasting plasma glucose: Called FPG for short, this is your blood sugar when you have been “fasting” (not eating) for at least 8 hours. You may be checking this in the morning. 

Glucose: Also known as blood sugar, glucose is used by the body for fuel. Glucose is produced when the digestive system breaks down food. 

Good cholesterol: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Good cholesterol helps the liver remove all cholesterol from your body.

Hormone: A molecule made by the body to help it work in different ways. For example, insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas to help the body use sugar as energy. 

Hyperglycemia: High blood sugar. Symptoms may include having to urinate often and being very thirsty. 

Hypoglycemia: Low blood sugar. Symptoms may include feeling anxious or confused, weak or tired, and shaking or feeling dizzy.

Insulin analog: A more recent type of insulin than human insulin. Insulin analogs have been changed slightly to allow fast-acting insulin to act more quickly or long-acting insulin to act more slowly than regular human insulin.

Ketoacidosis: A serious condition where too little insulin causes high levels of glucose and ketones. 

Ketones: Waste created when fat cells are burned for energy. In large amounts, ketones change the blood chemistry and can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (see above). 

Nurse Practitioner: Medical professionals who can help you learn the daily aspects of diabetes self-care.

Nutritionist: A person with training in nutrition. A nutritionist usually has specialized training and qualifications. 

Ophthalmologist: A medical doctor who diagnoses and treats all eye diseases and eye disorders. 

Pancreas: An organ in the body that produces a few different hormones including insulin, which enables the body to use sugar for energy. 

Pharmacist: A trained professional who knows about the chemistry of medicines you take for your diabetes and other conditions.

Primary Care Provider: This may be your primary care or family practice doctor who you see for general checkups and when you get sick. 

Podiatrist: A doctor who specializes in the feet. Podiatrists also provide regular foot examinations and treatment. 

Postprandial plasma glucose (PPG):  Your after-meal blood sugar number, tested about 1 to 2 hours after you eat. This measures the blood sugar spikes that happen after you eat. 

Regular human insulin: An older form of mealtime insulin. With regular human insulin, you have to take it 30 minutes before you eat. With newer fast-acting insulins, such as NovoLog®, you take it closer to the time you eat. In fact, you should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes of taking NovoLog®.

Read This Next
Need Even More Information?

We’ve got lots of information on this site. But there are other online resources that can help you find out more about diabetes care and connect you with diabetes support groups.

Find Them 

What Harm Is Just One?

Alcohol can be harmful for people without diabetes. But when you have type 1 diabetes, you need to be even more careful. Learn more about the dangers and how to avoid them. 

Click Here 

When I First Found Out I Had Type 1 Diabetes

Millie, Emily, Antoinette, and Chris discuss hearing the news that they had type 1 diabetes—and how diabetes doesn’t hold them back!