What Is Glucagon?

The Essential Hormone That Keeps Your Blood Sugar in Balance

When we talk about blood sugar regulation, most people immediately think of insulin, the hormone that helps lower glucose levels. But there’s another hormone that plays an equally important role in the body’s delicate balance: glucagon.

Glucagon is often described as insulin’s counterpart, and together, they form a powerful team that keeps your energy levels stable throughout the day. But what exactly is glucagon? How does it work? And why is it so important to your overall health?

In this article, we’ll break down the function of glucagon, how it interacts with insulin, and what happens when things go wrong.

What Is Glucagon?

Glucagon is a peptide hormone produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas, specifically in a region called the islets of Langerhans. It plays a central role in regulating blood glucose (sugar) levels by increasing them when they fall too low, a condition known as hypoglycemia.

In simple terms, while insulin lowers blood sugar, glucagon raises it. This balance is critical for survival, especially during periods of fasting, physical activity, or sleep.

How Does Glucagon Work?

When your blood sugar drops such as between meals, during intense exercise, or overnight your pancreas releases glucagon into the bloodstream. Once released, glucagon signals the liver to do two main things:

1. Break down stored glycogen (a form of glucose stored in the liver) and release it into the blood. This process is called glycogenolysis.

2. Produce new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources like amino acids. This process is known as gluconeogenesis.
   

As a result, your blood glucose levels rise and your body receives the energy it needs to keep functioning, especially the brain, which relies heavily on glucose.

Glucagon vs. Insulin: A Delicate Balance

Glucagon and insulin have opposite effects but work together to maintain homeostasis and your body’s internal balance.

This push-pull relationship between the two hormones ensures that your blood sugar stays within a healthy range typically between 70 to 100 mg/dL when fasting.

Why Is Glucagon Important?

Without glucagon, the body would struggle to maintain normal blood sugar levels during times when no food is available. This hormone becomes particularly crucial in:

• Fasting states: Helps prevent hypoglycemia when you skip meals.
  
• Physical activity: Provides energy by mobilizing glucose during exercise.
  
• Overnight regulation: Maintains steady blood sugar levels while you sleep.
  
• Emergency glucose recovery: Used in medical settings to treat severe hypoglycemia.

What Happens When Glucagon Levels Are Abnormal?

Like all hormones, glucagon must remain in balance. Both excessive and insufficient glucagon levels can cause health problems:

1. Too Much Glucagon

• Often seen in type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas releases excess glucagon even when blood sugar is already high.
  
• Can contribute to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and worsen insulin resistance.
  
• May be caused by glucagonoma, a rare tumor of the pancreas.

2. Too Little Glucagon

• Can result in hypoglycemia, especially in people with type 1 diabetes.
  
• Makes it harder for the body to recover from low blood sugar episodes.
  
• May occur after pancreatic surgery or in cases of autoimmune damage to alpha cells.
  
  

Medical Uses of Glucagon

In addition to its natural role, glucagon is also used in medical treatments, especially in emergency and diagnostic situations:

1. Emergency Treatment for Severe Hypoglycemia

• Injectable or nasal glucagon is used when a person with diabetes becomes unconscious due to dangerously low blood sugar.
  
• This can be life-saving and is often kept on hand by individuals with type 1 diabetes.

2. Diagnostic Imaging

• Glucagon can be administered to relax the gastrointestinal tract during certain imaging procedures, such as an upper GI series or colonoscopy.

Conditions Related to Glucagon Imbalance

Some medical conditions can directly involve glucagon dysfunction:

• Type 1 Diabetes: Patients may have low or absent glucagon response to hypoglycemia.
  
• Type 2 Diabetes: Often includes excessive glucagon secretion, contributing to poor blood sugar control.
  
• Glucagonoma Syndrome: A very rare condition caused by a glucagon-secreting tumor. Symptoms include:
  • Diabetes-like symptoms
    
  • Skin rash (necrolytic migratory erythema)
    
  • Weight loss
    
  • Anemia
    

This rare condition is usually diagnosed through blood tests and imaging studies and often requires surgery.

Supporting Healthy Glucagon Function

While you can’t directly control your glucagon levels, maintaining good metabolic health can help your body regulate this hormone properly:

• Eat balanced meals: Avoid skipping meals for long periods unless supervised (e.g., in intermittent fasting protocols).
  
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation.
  
• Avoid frequent high-sugar foods: They can lead to insulin resistance and disturb glucagon signaling.
  
• Manage diabetes carefully: If you have diabetes, follow your doctor’s guidance closely, especially if you’re prone to hypoglycemia.
  
• Stay hydrated and get enough sleep: Both support healthy hormone regulation.

When to Talk to a Doctor

If you’re experiencing:

• Frequent low blood sugar
  
• Unexplained fatigue or dizziness
  
• Difficulty managing blood sugar levels (especially with diabetes)
  
• Suspected endocrine problems

…it’s a good idea to consult an endocrinologist. A specialist can evaluate your hormone function with blood tests and help determine if glucagon (or other hormones) may be playing a role in your symptoms.

At Erdem Hospital, our team of internal medicine and endocrinology experts provides thorough evaluations for patients with hormone-related disorders, supported by over 37 years of experience in patient-centered care.

Final Thoughts

Glucagon may not get as much attention as insulin, but it is equally essential in maintaining your body’s energy balance. Whether you’re fasting, exercising, or simply going about your day, glucagon ensures your blood sugar stays within a healthy range.

Understanding this vital hormone can help you take better control of your health especially if you’re living with or at risk of diabetes. If you suspect a hormonal issue, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice.

Your hormones are your body’s internal compass. Glucagon is one of the key tools keeping you on course.