Insulin

Insulin is a hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells which signals cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream.

In diabetes

Main Article: Diabetes

Patients suffering from diabetes have abnormal insulin function. In Type-I (or Juvenile), the pancreas produces insufficient amounts of insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels. In Type-II diabetes, insulin receptors on cells become less responsive to insulin in the blood. Thus, while the pancreas may be producing enough insulin, the hormonal signal does not get through, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

See Also

• glucagon
• hormone
• diabetes