Have you ever wondered how our blood sugar levels are controlled? There is a special thing that helps with this called Glucagon. Like a little hero in our body, Glucagon keeps our blood sugar levels from getting too low. Today, we will talk about this Glucagon in detail and very simply.
What is Glucagon?
Simply put, glucagon is a natural hormone that our bodies produce . You know, it's produced by the alpha cells in our pancreas. When our blood glucose levels drop, when we don't eat for a long time (prolonged fasting), when we exercise hard, or when we eat a protein-rich meal, this glucagon is released.
Think about it, glucose is the main type of sugar in our blood. We get this glucose from the carbohydrates in the things we eat and drink. This sugar is what provides energy to our body's organs, muscles, and nervous system. It's like gasoline for a car. So, our body usually keeps this blood sugar level at the right level in a very complex way. Whether this is too high or too low, various diseases and discomforts can occur.
Glucagon injections and nasal sprays
In addition to the naturally occurring glucagon, there are also synthetic glucagons. These can be given as an injection or as a dry nasal spray. You may have seen this used in emergencies, especially for people with Type 1 diabetes , when their blood sugar suddenly drops too low (hypoglycemia). The glucagon given at this time releases glucose stored in our liver and quickly raises our blood sugar levels. It's like giving us a little 'boost'.
What does glucagon do to our body?
If your pancreas is working properly, your body will carefully control your blood glucose levels. This is mainly done by two hormones called glucagon and insulin . For example, when your blood sugar levels get too low (hypoglycemia), your pancreas releases more glucagon. This glucagon helps to raise your blood sugar levels in several ways:
- First, glucagon goes to our liver and converts the glucose stored there – which we call glycogen – into something we can use. The liver then releases it into the blood.
- Second, glucagon can stop the liver from taking up and storing glucose, leaving more glucose in the blood.
- Third, amino acidsGlucagon also helps the body make glucose from other sources, such as:
Remember, it's like a seesaw. When blood sugar levels drop, glucagon works, and when blood sugar levels rise, insulin works!
What diseases may be associated with problems with glucagon function?
Now let's see what problems can arise if glucagon does not work properly.
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 low blood sugar more often, or even very low blood sugar . This risk is especially high if you take blood sugar-lowering medications like insulin or sulfonylureas.
In some people with type 2 diabetes, glucagon levels may be higher than normal, in relation to blood sugar levels. This is also one reason why blood sugar levels are high.
It is very rare for problems with glucagon production to occur without diabetes, but there are a few situations where it can occur:
- Pancreatitis: If you develop 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 of the pancreas. It releases too much glucagon. This causes symptoms such as high blood sugar, 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 in your endocrine system. This includes the pancreas.
- Pancreatectomy side effects: If for some reason part or all of your pancreas is removed, the cells that produce glucagon and insulin are lost.
What are the symptoms of glucagon-related problems?
As we discussed earlier, abnormalities in glucagon levels can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Let's take a look at what those symptoms are.
Symptoms of low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Imagine that your friend, Nilanthi, is taking medication for diabetes. One day, she suddenly starts shaking, sweating, and feeling dizzy. She also seems to slur her words when she speaks. If these symptoms occur, it could mean that her blood sugar is very low.
Common symptoms include:
- Shaking, trembling
- Sweating and feeling cold
- Dizziness, feeling light-headed
- Heart palpitations
- Hunger
- Difficulty concentrating, confusion
Important: If you experience these symptoms, it is very important to eat something sugary, a carbohydrate-rich food or drink as soon as possible . This will help your blood sugar levels to return to normal. If you experience these symptoms frequently, you should definitely see your doctor.
Symptoms of high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia)
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is often caused by a lack of insulin, not a problem with glucagon alone. However, rare glucagon problems can also cause high blood sugar. The first signs are:
- Frequent thirst and/or hunger
- Blurred vision
- Frequent urination ( urinating frequently)
- Headache
If you have these symptoms, it is very important to see a doctor.
What tests are done to check glucagon levels?
If you have certain symptoms, your doctor may order a blood test to measure your glucagon levels. In this test, a doctor or nurse uses a needle to take a blood sample from your vein. It is then sent to a lab for testing.
What are normal glucagon levels?
Normally, the amount of glucagon we should have in our blood is between 50 and 100 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) . A picogram is one trillionth of a gram! A very small amount, right?
But remember, these normal values can vary slightly from lab to lab. They can also vary depending on how long you've been fasting and what your blood sugar levels were at the time of the test. So, always compare your results with the values on your blood 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 you are having frequent episodes of low or high blood sugar, it is important to see a doctor. Glucagon levels are not usually measured in people with diabetes. However, you may need to change your diabetes management to minimize these episodes.
Although other glucagon-related problems are rare, if you have symptoms, it's important to find the cause. So, be sure to see your doctor.
What is the difference between Glucagon and Glycogen?
Aren't these two the same? Glycogen is a form of glucose (sugar) stored in the liver.Our bodies store glycogen mainly in the liver and muscles.
Glucagon is a hormone that signals the liver to convert glycogen back into glucose. That glucose then enters the blood and can be used as energy by our bodies.
What happens to glucagon during fasting?
When we are fasting, glucagon is very important in keeping our blood sugar levels from dropping too low. This is because our bodies are not getting glucose from food at that time.
When we fast for a long time, glucagon causes the body to make glucose from non-carbohydrate substances – such as lipids, amino acids, and proteins. This process is called gluconeogenesis .
Finally, I have to say... (Take-Home Message)
So, you probably understand that glucagon is a very important hormone that helps keep our blood sugar levels healthy 'behind the scenes'. It's very unlikely that you have diabetes or glucagon-related problems.
However, if you are experiencing frequent symptoms of low blood sugar or high blood sugar, please see your doctor. They can then find the cause and prescribe the treatment you need. Taking care of your health is the most important thing.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Is Glucagon a medicine that lowers blood sugar like Insulin?
No! This is a hormone in the body that acts like the 'evil brother/opposite side' of insulin. Insulin forces the body's sugar levels to drop. But 'glucagon', when the body's sugar levels drop dangerously low (Hypoglycemia), orders the sugar stored in the liver (Glycogen) to immediately go into the blood and 'raise the sugar levels back to normal'.
💬 Why is this Glucagon hormone available from the pharmacy as an emergency treatment?
If a diabetic patient takes too much medicine or insulin and becomes 'low blood sugar/suddenly comatose and loses consciousness' (Hypoglycemia), he cannot eat sugar at that time (he is stuck). Only at that time, if a 'Glucagon Pen' (an emergency injection) is injected into his pants or thigh, the blood sugar in the body increases within a few minutes and the patient regains consciousness.
💬 Is it easy to inject this glucagon injection at home?
Yes! This is just like the EpiPen for allergies, and comes in an emergency kit that can be easily injected at home by family members. (In some countries, it is also available as a nasal spray/Baqsimi.) If there is someone at home who takes insulin for diabetes, it is definitely important to keep this glucagon injection in the fridge or cupboard to avoid sudden death.
` glucagon, blood sugar, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, diabetes, pancreas, hormone
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