Have you ever wondered about the blood sugar level inside our body? How exactly is blood sugar level controlled? This is a very amazing process. One of the things that helps with this is a special chemical messenger, a hormone called Glucagon. So today we will talk about what this Glucagon is, how important it is to our body, and what conditions come with its fluctuations.
What is glucagon? How does it work in our body?
Simply put, glucagon is a hormone that is naturally produced in our bodies . Just like insulin, but while insulin lowers blood sugar levels, glucagon does the opposite. That is, the main function of glucagon is to control blood sugar levels so that they don't get too low .
This glucagon is produced by a special type of cell in our pancreas, called alpha cells . These cells work like skilled workers in a small factory. There are several main reasons why these alpha cells release glucagon:
- When your blood sugar level drops.
- When you have been fasting for a long time without eating anything.
- When you work hard and exercise , that is, when you engage in physical activity.
- Even if we eat a meal that is rich in protein , for example, when we eat too much meat, fish, or eggs.
Now look, the main thing that gives our body energy is glucose , that is, sugar. We get this glucose from the carbohydrates in the things we eat and drink. This sugar provides nutrition to our body's organs, muscles, and nervous system. Our body has a very complex system to maintain this sugar level. Whether the sugar in the blood is too high or too low, various diseases and discomforts can occur.
Let's learn about external glucagon injections and nasal sprays.
In addition to the glucagon that occurs naturally in our bodies, there are also types of glucagon that are made from outside sources. These can be taken as an injection or as a nasal powder/dry nasal spray .
This type of glucagon is often used by people with Type 1 Diabetes . It is given in an emergency when their blood sugar is very low ( hypoglycemia ). Then, this glucagon goes and gives a signal to our liver, saying, "Okay, now release the sugar you have stored." Then the liver adds glucose to the blood, and the sugar level goes back up.
What are the main functions of the hormone Glucagon?
If your pancreas is working properly, your body carefully controls your blood sugar levels. This is mainly helped by two hormones called glucagon and insulin .
Imagine, if your blood sugar level starts to drop, or if it gets too low (hypoglycemia), your pancreas releases more glucagon. This glucagon helps raise blood sugar levels in several ways:
- Glucagon forces the liver to convert stored glucose , called glycogen , into usable glucose. The liver then releases that glucose into the blood.
- Glucagon can also stop the liver from taking in and storing more glucose, leaving more glucose in the blood.
- Glucagon also helps our body make glucose from other sources, such as amino acids .
Simply put, when blood sugar levels drop, glucagon comes in and gives the signal to "raise blood sugar levels ."
Then, when your blood sugar level rises, the pancreas releases insulin to bring it back down to normal. It's like a seesaw.
What are the conditions associated with problems with glucagon function?
If you have diabetes, your body may not be able to release enough glucagon when your blood sugar is low. This can make you more likely to have frequent episodes of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This risk is especially high if you take blood sugar-lowering medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas.
Some people with Type 2 Diabetes may have higher levels of glucagon in their blood compared to their blood sugar levels. This can also cause high blood sugar levels.
Problems with glucagon production, other than diabetes, are very rare. However, there are some conditions that can affect glucagon function:
- Pancreatitis: If you have diabetes due to pancreatitis and take insulin for it, you may also develop glucagon deficiency. This increases the risk of low blood sugar.
- Glucagonoma: This is a very rare tumor that develops in the pancreas. It releases too much glucagon. This can cause symptoms such as high blood sugar, a skin rash , and weight loss.
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN): This is also a very rare genetic condition. In this, tumors develop in more than one gland of your endocrine system. This includes the pancreas.
- A side effect of a pancreatectomy: If for some reason part or all of your pancreas has to be removed, the cells that produce glucagon and insulin are lost.
Symptoms of Glucagon-related problems
Depending on the situation, you may experience both low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and/or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) due to abnormalities in glucagon levels.
Symptoms of low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
When blood sugar drops, symptoms such as:
- Feeling like your body is shaking
- Sweating and feeling cold
- Dizziness, a feeling of spinning in the head
- Heart palpitations
- Increased hunger
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating
If you have these symptoms, it is important to eat something containing sugar or carbohydrates as soon as possible. This will help your blood sugar levels to rise again. If you have these symptoms frequently, be sure to see your doctor.
Symptoms of high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia)
High blood sugar is often caused by a lack of insulin, not just a problem with glucagon. However, rare glucagon problems can also cause high blood sugar. The early signs of high blood sugar are:
- Increased thirst and/or increased hunger
- Blurred vision
- Frequent urination
- Headache
If you experience these symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor.
How to check glucagon levels?
If you have certain symptoms, your doctor may order a glucagon blood test to check your glucagon levels. In this test, a doctor or nurse takes a sample of blood from your vein. It is then sent to a laboratory to be tested.
What should normal glucagon levels be like?
Normally, glucagon levels in our blood should be between 50 and 100 picograms per milliliter (50 to 100 pg/mL) . A picogram is about one trillionth of a gram. Imagine how small that is!
But keep in mind that these normal values can vary slightly from lab to lab. They can also vary depending on how long you have been fasting and what your blood sugar levels were at the time of the test. So, always compare your results with the values given on your test report. If you have any questions, talk to your doctor.
When should I see a doctor about my glucagon levels?
If you have diabetes and are experiencing frequent low or high blood sugar episodes, it is important to see a doctor. Glucagon levels are not routinely measured in people with diabetes. However, your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes management plan to minimize these high or low blood sugar episodes.
Although other glucagon-related problems are rare, if you have symptoms, it's important to find the cause. So, be sure to talk to your doctor.
What is the difference between Glucagon and Glycogen?
Don't confuse the two. Glucagon and glycogen are not the same thing.
- Glycogen is a form of glucose that is stored in the body, like money in the bank. Our bodies store this glycogen mainly in the liver and muscles.
- Glucagon is a hormone that converts glycogen in the liver back into glucose and releases it into the blood, so the body can use it for energy.
Do you understand the difference? Glycogen means "storage", and glucagon is like "the key to unlock the store".
What is the function of glucagon during fasting?
Glucagon is very important in keeping our blood sugar levels from dropping when we are fasting, because we are not getting glucose from food at that time.
During prolonged fasting, glucagon does another special job. It makes glucose from non-carbohydrates, such as lipids, amino acids, and proteins. This process is called gluconeogenesis .
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Glucagon is a very important hormone that works behind the scenes in our bodies, helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Glucagon-related problems are generally rare, except in people with diabetes. However, if you have frequent symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), you should definitely see a doctor to find out the cause and get treatment.
I hope this information is useful to you. Take care of your health!
` Glucagon, hormones, diabetes, blood sugar, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, pancreas
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