A person with this condition may have to give oneself intramuscular injections in order to regulate glucose level in the blood. And I understand that glucagon injections aren't as practical because the mere consumption of carbohydrates should do the trick. So my question is: Does the pancreas of a person suffering from diabetes mellitus 1 produce glucagon?
Diabetes - 3 Answers
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1 :
I wish I could better answer your questions, but I know from experience with an ex that he had to give himself insulin shots every day (2 or 3 times a day) and that ordinarily he wasn't suppose to eat sweets, but on occasion he would have a sort of attack (hypoglycemia) and would need to eat something quickly to get his blood levels back in check. I believe he also had shots for that, but I don't recall him taking them, usually he'd just eat something. I don't know if this helps... "In Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans are destroyed by an autoimmune process. The alpha cells survive, but having no beta cell connections, they produce glucagon at an inappropriately high rate, regardless of the blood sugar level. This indicates that they do not possess glucose sensors of their own, relying, under normal circumstances, on signals from the beta cells to inform them of prevailing the blood sugar level." From what I have read, the pancreas is supposed to produce both glucagon and insulin (they are opposite from each other.) Diabetes 1 is characterized by the lack of insulin production, glucagon continues to form, but without the natural insulin to keep it in check, it's too much. Therefore the insulin shots. Taking too much insulin, physical excertion, not eating, and other factors can cause a hypoglycemic attack (too much insulin, not enough glucagon).... therefore, it is then that the person needs to eat sweets or have a glucagon shot.
2 :
The pancreas produces both glucagon and insulin..The beta cells in the pancreas secretes insulin to promote carbohydrate metabolism while the alpha cells in the pancreas secrete glucagon, a hormone that stimulates glycogenolysis in the liver meaning, glucagon is the one responsible in breaking down of glycogen to form glucose..as I understood, insulin decreases the blood sugar level in the blood by attaching to the receptors in the cells in order for the glucose to enter the cells and be used as energy while in the fasting state where there is not enough glucose circulating in the blood, it was the glucagon who breaks down glycogen in the liver (which is a stored form of glucose) through the process of glycogenolysis in order to form glucose.
3 :
First of all, Type 1 diabetics only give subcutaneous injections of insulin, not intramuscular. If insulin was injected into muscle, the effect would be dangerously rapid and unpredictable absorption. Type 1 diabetics also have damage to their alpha cells or impaired alpha cells, which release glucagon. So yes, their counter-regulatory mechanism for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is impaired. They do not produce (generally) enough glucogon to prevent a severe low blood sugar. Type 1 diabetics, unlike Type 2's, are prone to severe low blood sugar for this reason, as is the fact that they do not have insulin resistance, and the fact that they are exogenously injecting much more insulin than their body would need to sustain itself, in addition to general factors for hypoglycemia. Nobody knows if the damage or dysfunction of the glucagon secreting cells (alpha cells) is autoimmune also, or if it is a result of a lack of beta cells (i.e. The cells may figure, if the body is not making any insulin, you can't have a low blood sugar, right?). If the person with Type 1 diabetes is conscious and having a low blood sugar, then glucagon should NOT be given. Fast acting carbohydrate (glucose gel etc.) should be given by mouth. If the person is unconscious, a glucagon injection or IV glucose MUST be given instead.
