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Why is Insulin Called Hypoglycemic?

Published in Endocrinology 1 min read

Insulin is called a hypoglycemic hormone because it lowers blood glucose levels.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

  • Hypoglycemia Definition: Hypoglycemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose (sugar) levels.

  • Insulin's Role: Insulin, produced by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas, plays a critical role in regulating blood glucose.

  • Mechanism of Action: After you eat, insulin is released into the bloodstream. It then facilitates the following processes:

    • Glucose Uptake: Insulin enables cells throughout the body, especially muscle and fat cells, to absorb glucose from the blood.
    • Glycogenesis: It stimulates the liver and muscles to convert glucose into glycogen, which is a stored form of glucose.
    • Inhibition of Glucose Production: It suppresses the liver's production of glucose.
  • Net Effect: By promoting glucose uptake and storage and inhibiting glucose production, insulin effectively reduces the concentration of glucose in the blood. This is why it's called hypoglycemic - it actively works to lower blood sugar.

In contrast, hormones like glucagon are considered hyperglycemic because they increase blood glucose levels.