Hormones are chemicals that are produced within our body and which control our bodily functions such as metabolism, growth and development. When our hormones are not in balance, medical issues can arise. For example, the pancreas produces two hormones called insulin and glucagon which play a key role in how the cells in your body release or absorb glucose and when these hormones are out of balance, blood sugar levels are affected, leading to diabetic hypoglycaemia (when blood sugar levels drop too low) or hyperglycemia (when blood sugar levels get too high).
How blood sugar hormones work
Insulin and glucagon have very important roles in balancing glucose in the body. Insulin has the job of lowering blood sugar levels, and it does this by signalling body cells to absorb excess glucose, while glucagon raises blood sugar levels by releasing stored glucose.
Type 1 diabetics often suffer from a condition known as insulin resistance, in which the hormone insulin is either not produced in sufficient quantities or the immune system attacks the insulin-secreting cells within the pancreas. Both problems result in blood sugar levels dropping above safe levels.
Type 2 diabetics often suffer from other hormonal imbalances as the thyroid, adrenal glands and pituitary glands can act as direct insulin antagonists, overreacting to the presence of glucose in the body’s cells and either causing insulin resistance or slowing metabolism and causing blood sugar levels to drop to dangerous levels.
Insulin and glucagon function
The body needs glucose to function properly, but it must be maintained at a near-constant level to avoid blood sugar spikes and drops that can trigger medical incidents. Glucose is obtained from the carbohydrates in the food and drink that you consume and what the body takes on but doesn’t immediately need, it stores for later use in your muscles and liver.
Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating your blood glucose levels, moving it from the blood into the cells when it is overproduced, where it is converted to glycogen and stored for use at a later point in time.
Glucagon is a hormone that triggers the liver to convert the stored glycogen into usable glucose and release it into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels drop below normal levels. It simultaneously triggers the body to burn fat cells by converting amino acids into energy.
Though these naturally occurring hormones work in different ways, insulin and glucagon function together to keep your body in balance and help to prevent diabetic hypers and hypos.
How hormones are used to treat diabetes
Type 1 diabetes cannot be reversed as it is usually caused by an autoimmune condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own healthy cells, and therefore it must be medically managed using insulin injections to regulate your blood sugar levels. Understanding the interaction between blood sugar hormones and symptoms is critical to manage the condition effectively.
Type 2 diabetes can often be controlled by diet and lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise levels and eating a healthy diet. These actions, combined with getting enough sleep and managing stress levels can often (but not always) be enough to regulate a hormone imbalance and avoid the need for medical intervention and treatment. All diabetics will be regularly monitored by a healthcare professional who will advise their patients if they think medication is necessary to control their diabetes.
When medical intervention with glucagon is necessary
Normally, when people think about treating diabetes with hormones, they think only of insulin injections and pumps, however if a patient’s blood glucose level drops and is not addressed quickly by eating or drinking something high in carbohydrates or sugar, they can suffer from hypoglycemia, a condition that can cause confusion, seizures and even loss of consciousness. If these symptoms occur, administering glucagon is essential to save their life. Glucagon can be administered using an injector kit, an autoinjector pen or a dry nasal spray and where the risk of hypoglycemia is high, a patient will be provided with the appropriate treatment to use as necessary.
FAQs
How can stress impact blood sugar hormones?
When you are stressed, your body releases two other hormones called adrenaline and cortisol. They cause your heart to beat faster and direct more oxygen to the heart and brain. They also trigger your body to release stored glucose and slow down the production of insulin, meaning that diabetics can suffer from hyperglycemia, an excess of sugar in the bloodstream.
What other medical conditions cause hormone imbalance diabetes?
Thyroid diseases such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause a hormone imbalance in diabetics, resulting in either an overproduction of insulin or an inability to effectively absorb blood glucose. Many diabetics also suffer from thyroid problems and often it is because of imbalances in insulin and glucagon function.
The hormonal imbalance caused by Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, menopause and pregnancy can also impact on the amount of insulin produced and on the body’s ability to regulate its glucose levels, putting sufferers at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
How can I find out more about hormone imbalance diabetes?
The best place to find the information you need about how a hormone imbalance can affect diabetics is on the Diabetes UK website. This website contains authority sources relating to research and findings, including a considerable amount of information relating to the interactions involved in hormone imbalance diabetes.
