Have you ever wondered how many things go on inside our bodies, especially after we eat? We have a group of little chemical messengers in our bodies that help all of this happen. We call these hormones. Today we are going to talk about one such special hormone. That is gastrin. This gastrin is very important for the functioning of our digestive system.
What does Gastrin actually do?
Okay, now let's see what this friend called Gastrin does for our bodies. It has several main functions.
- Stomach acid production: The most important thing is to tell your stomach to release gastric acid. This gastric acid is what we call hydrochloric acid. Without this, it is very difficult to digest food.
- Stomach muscle function: Gastrin also helps the muscles in your stomach work properly, which means it causes gastric motility, which helps mix and break down food.
- Renew the Stomach Wall: The delicate lining of our stomach, the mucosa, needs to be constantly renewed. Gastrin helps with this as well.
- Stimulation of the gallbladder and pancreas: Gastrin, along with another hormone called cholecystokinin, helps your gallbladder and pancreas contract and release digestive juices.
What is the difference between Gastrin and Gastric acid?
Does this sound a bit confusing? Simply put, it's like this. Gastrin is a hormone . It's like a letter. This letter tells the stomach, "Okay, now release gastric acid." Then this gastric acid activates the digestive enzyme pepsin. Together, these two create the gastric juice in our stomach. Do you understand?
Where is gastrin produced?
Gastrin is produced primarily by organs in our digestive system. This hormone comes from a special type of cell called G-cells. The letter "G" stands for "gastrin."
Most gastrin comes from your stomach , especially the lower part of your stomach (we call it the antrum). These G-cells are located in the gastric glands in the wall of your stomach. In addition, some gastrin is produced by the duodenum, the first part of your small intestine, and by the pancreas.
What factors affect the release of gastrin?
It's amazing how gastrin is released when you think about eating! How do you know that? Our brain and digestive system are constantly connected through a special network of nerves called the vagal nerves. Information travels back and forth through these nerves.
So, when you think about food, the vagal nerves in your brain send a message to the stomach, saying, "Okay, food is coming, release gastrin and get ready for digestion." Then, when you start eating, the nerves in your stomach recognize that food has entered and release more gastrin.
Other things that stimulate the release of gastrin:
- An increase in the pH of the stomach (that is, when the acidity decreases).
- The stomach walls are pulled when food enters.
- Certain foods , especially those containing protein, enter the stomach.
Gastrin causes the release of gastric acid, which activates pepsin. Together, these break down and digest proteins in the stomach. Gastrin also activates the movement of the muscles in the stomach.
How do you stop the release of gastrin?
As food empties from your stomach and moves into the first part of the small intestine, the duodenum, the next stage of digestion begins. That's when the release of gastrin begins to decrease. As food leaves the stomach and stomach acid levels increase, gastrin decreases.
When food enters the duodenum, your gallbladder and pancreas release their digestive juices. Then, our digestive system releases another hormone called somatostatin. This somatostatin turns off other hormones (like gastrin). It's like turning a switch off.
How to check gastrin levels?
There is a special blood test to check your gastrin levels. We call it the gastrin test. A healthcare provider, such as a doctor or nurse, takes a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm and sends it to a lab for testing.
Why is my gastrin level important?
Doctors check your gastrin levels to see if they are too high . Low gastrin levels are rare, but high gastrin levels can indicate certain gastrointestinal diseases and conditions.
What does elevated gastrin levels (Hypergastrinemia) mean?
When gastrin levels are elevated, we call it hypergastrinemia. Sometimes, hypergastrinemia can mean that you have gastrin-producing tumors in your body, called gastrinomas. These can occur in your pancreas or duodenum.
Other times, hypergastrinemia can mean that there is something in your stomach that is preventing it from producing gastric acid. When stomach acid decreases, more gastrin is released. Also, the signals that normally stop gastrin production are disrupted.
What happens if gastrin levels increase?
If your gastrin levels are high, the amount of gastric acid in your stomach and duodenum can become too high. Too much acid can damage the delicate protective lining of your stomach and duodenum, causing ulcers, also known as peptic ulcer disease.
Also, having too much stomach acid can cause a condition called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), which is a long-term condition in which acid comes up into the throat. If you have peptic ulcer disease or GERD and it doesn't get better with medication, your doctor may check your gastrin levels.
What medical conditions may be associated with high gastrin levels?
If you have gastrinomas, both your gastrin and gastric acid levels may be elevated. Gastrinomas are a type of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PET) that secretes gastrin. They can be cancerous or noncancerous.
Conditions that cause gastrinomas:
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1).
Conditions in which gastrin and gastric acid are elevated without gastrinomas:
- Chronic kidney failure.
- Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO).
If your gastric acid production is low, you may have high gastrin levels but low gastric acid levels. This may be due to atrophic gastritis, which is a condition in which the cells that produce stomach acid are destroyed.
Main causes of atrophic gastritis:
- H. pylori infection.
- Autoimmune diseases (e.g. autoimmune atrophic gastritis).
Other causes of decreased gastric acid production:
- Acid-blocking medications, such as H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
- Vagotomy (surgical removal or cutting of the vagal nerve).
What should I do if I have symptoms of high gastrin levels?
If you have stomach symptoms, especially if they are frequent or have been present for a long time, it is important to see a doctor. Here are some symptoms that may be associated with increased gastrin:
- Stomach pain or cramping.
- Persistent chest pain and indigestion.
- Acid reflux or food getting stuck in the throat.
- Persistent sore throat and hoarseness.
- Persistent diarrhea.
- Digestive problems.
These symptoms may indicate that you have high levels of gastric acid, or that you have atrophic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, or GERD. This may or may not be related to gastrin. However, it is important to diagnose and treat these conditions correctly.
Remember, if you have symptoms like these, don't try to diagnose yourself by looking up information on the internet. It's best to see a doctor and get advice.
Take-Home Message
Okay, so let's look at some simple things to remember about the gastrin we talked about.
- Gastrin is an important hormone in our digestive system .
- Its main function is to tell the stomach to release gastric acid .
- If your stomach acid is too high or too low , it may be related to gastrin.
- If you have any stomach symptoms, or conditions that are not improving with treatment, a doctor may test your gastrin levels.
- High gastrin levels can sometimes be a sign of a medical condition, so it is important to seek medical advice if you have symptoms.
So, Gastrin is a small but powerful thing that works silently in our bodies. Being aware of this will be very important for your health. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
` Gastrin, hormones, digestion, stomach acid, peptic ulcer, GERD, hypergastrinemia
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