Question

Explain how the body maintains its blood glucose concentration and what happens when blood glucose rises too high or falls too low.

Answer 1

Normal fasting blood glucose level is 70- 100 mgs/dl

Normal postprandial blood glucose level should be 70- 140 mgs/dl

If blood glucose falls below the normal indicates hypoglycemia, above the normal indicates hyperglycemia.

The blood glucose level maintained within range mainly by 2 pancreatic islet hormones : Insulin and glucagon

when blood glucose level is high

Insulin secretes from beta pancreatic islet cells- it secretes whenever blood glucose level is higher.

Insulin increases uptake of blood glucose by cells, converts glucose to glycogen ( stored form of glucose) stores in the liver- thus blood glucose level comes normal.

When blood glucose level is low

Glucagon secretes from alpha pancreatic islet cells - it secretes whenever blood glucose level is low.

Glucagon acts on liver & converts glycogen to glucose- thus blood glucose level comes normal.

In severe hypoglycemic cases, Glucagon also act upon cells to rise blood glucose from non- carbohydrate sources (fat, protein, ) .