glucose levels

A simple blood test that measures long-term glucose levels -- the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test -- may not be the best way to diagnose diabetes in adolescents.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reminding the public that stolen vials of the long-acting insulin Levemir made by Novo Nordisk Inc. still may be on the market.

Evidence gathered to date suggests that the stolen insulin was not stored and handled properly and may be dangerous for people to use.

The FDA has received multiple reports of patients who suffered an adverse event due to poor control of glucose levels after using a vial from one of the stolen lots.

About 47 million Americans have some form of metabolic syndromea group of conditions that increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and related complications.

Metabolic syndrome is often characterized by abdominal obesity, impaired fasting glucose (an increase in glucose levels), elevated blood pressure, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.

It is also associated with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body cannot use insulin effectively.