Title

close iconicon dots

Resources

The Other 5 Dysfunctional Hormones of Type 1 Diabetes

Nope, insulin isn’t the only hormone your body struggles to produce properly. In fact, there are a total of six hormones affected by type 1 diabetes. You were given insulin. Meanwhile, the other five hormones are pretty critical. Those hormones manage things like how much sugar your liver produces, your appetite, and more.

The Other 5 Dysfunctional Hormones of Type 1 Diabetes

Here’s a look at the other five hormones your body struggles to manage with type 1 diabetes.

The Cells and Their Hormones

You might’ve heard that your pancreas contains beta cells — and beta cells produce insulin. But there are a bunch of other critical cells in the endocrine system. Also known as the “Islets of Langerhans,” this cluster of cells in the pancreas includes alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon cells.

Each of those cells is responsible for producing critical hormones, including insulin.

When your immune system attacks your beta cells, it destroys the communication process between all five cells! If the beta cells have been destroyed, they aren’t telling the other cells what hormones to secrete or restrict. These cells work as a team!

Let’s break it down:

Alpha Cells

Alpha cells produce glucagon. Glucagon is a hormone that tells your liver to release stored sugar to prevent hypoglycemia. Your alpha cells should produce less glucose when you’re eating because you’re getting plenty of sugar from your meal. When your blood sugar drops, your alpha cells should produce extra glucagon. This doesn’t happen in a T1D body. This is why we need critical tools like emergency glucagon.

Beta Cells

Well, these are the famous guys — but there’s something you might not know about your precious beta cells. 

First, these cells produce insulin when you’re eating. In a non-T1D body, these cells produce exactly the right amount at the right time. It’s such a lovely system that manages normal blood glucose levels. (If your beta cells still function well, don’t take it for granted.)

Beta cells also produce amylin. If you have T1D, you are not producing this critical hormone. Amylin should be secreted along with insulin! Amylin does a couple of big things: it tells your brain when you’re full, and it tells your alpha cells to stop secreting glucagon. 

This means you’re not getting the “hey, I’m full” cue. It also means your body is producing more glucagon all the time, which means you’re producing more glucose all the time. This means you need more insulin to manage that extra glucose. This means you’re storing more of that extra glucose as body fat, which makes it harder to lose and maintain your weight.

Gamma Cells

These cells produce pancreatic polypeptide (PP). This simple ingredient plays a big role in insulin sensitivity and storing extra glucose in your liver. Without PP, you’ll need more insulin! More insulin means more food being stored as body fat. An obvious contributor to why it’s hard to lose and maintain body fat with T1D.

Delta Cells 

These cells manage the production of somatostatin. (Sounds like the word “tomato” with an “s” and the word “statin” at the end.) Somatostatin basically puts the brakes on glucagon or insulin based on blood glucose levels. If your blood sugar drops, somatostatin tells the beta cells to produce less insulin and your alpha cells to produce more glucagon. If your blood sugar rises, somatostatin tells your alpha cells to relax on the glucose and the beta cells to produce more insulin.

Epsilon Cells

These cells manage the production of ghrelin. (Like “gremlin” without the “m.”) Ghrelin manages your appetite, fat storage, and growth hormone production. In people with T1D, your ghrelin production is simply unmanaged — you could be producing too much or too little. 

What does it all mean for people with T1D?

If you have type 1 diabetes, your body does not produce insulin or amylin. Instead, it produces unregulated amounts of glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide, somatostatin, and ghrelin. 

That’s a mess.

All of the above can contribute to:

  • Difficulty maintaining insulin sensitivity
  • Difficulty maintaining your weight
  • Difficulty maintaining your appetite
  • Difficulty maintaining post-meal blood sugar levels

Today, more and more people with T1D are using medications intended for type 2 diabetes because those medications help address those issues!

This makes it less surprising that 60 percent of T1Ds are overweight or living with obesity. But what can we do about it? 

GLP-1 and GIP-GLP-1 Medications

GLP-1 and GIP-GLP-1 medications, in particular, mimic hormones that regulate appetite, insulin sensitivity, body weight, and post-meal blood sugar levels! These medications are becoming increasingly well-known for their significant impact on T1D.

Getting medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) with T1D isn’t easy. 

However, the pursuit starts with an endocrinologist who understands the science above and appreciates the potential support you might get from a GLP-1 or GIP-GLP-1 medication.

Learn more about my experience taking a very low dose of semaglutide in these videos:

Latest News

Read all
arrow
T1D Strong NewsT1D Strong DNA test got another award - Diabetes Center Berne Innovation Challenge

Diabetes Center Bern announced the Top 6 projects of the Diabetes Innovation Challenge.

T1D Team

T1D Team

T1D Strong NewsT1D Strong DNA test has been awarded at ADA 2024 conference

Our DNA test is selected as one of the finalists for the American Diabetes Association Innovation Challenge 2024!

T1D Team

T1D Team

T1D Strong NewsAchieving the Milestone - 100 Articles Published!

We're just getting started! Committed to empowering the T1D community, we continue to share knowledge and stories.

T1D Team

T1D Team

Read all
arrow

Related Articles

The latest news, technologies, and resources from our team.

Glowcose is Lighting up the Diabetes World 
ResourcesGlowcose is Lighting up the Diabetes World 
The Diabetes Brain Connection
ResourcesThe Diabetes Brain Connection
T1D Human Trials Happening Right Now
ResourcesT1D Human Trials Happening Right Now
12 Best Diabetes Apps of 2024
Resources12 Best Diabetes Apps of 2024
The Stages of Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesThe Stages of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes Screening – Here’s What You Need to Know
ResourcesType 1 Diabetes Screening – Here’s What You Need to Know
Top Type 1 Research Breakthroughs to Watch in 2024
ResourcesTop Type 1 Research Breakthroughs to Watch in 2024
College Diabetes Network offers T1D Peer Support
ResourcesCollege Diabetes Network offers T1D Peer Support
Yeast Infections and Type 1 Diabetes: The Unspoken Symptom
ResourcesYeast Infections and Type 1 Diabetes: The Unspoken Symptom
Medical Alert Tattoos for Diabetes
ResourcesMedical Alert Tattoos for Diabetes
The 2024 Insulin Shortage and What You Need to Know
ResourcesThe 2024 Insulin Shortage and What You Need to Know
A Simple Way to Prevent Misdiagnosing Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
ResourcesA Simple Way to Prevent Misdiagnosing Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes
T1D Highlights from the ADA 84th Scientific Sessions
ResourcesT1D Highlights from the ADA 84th Scientific Sessions
PCOS and Type 1 Diabetes: What’s the Link? 
ResourcesPCOS and Type 1 Diabetes: What’s the Link? 
T1D Documentaries: Lights, Camera, Insulin!
ResourcesT1D Documentaries: Lights, Camera, Insulin!
Double Diabetes: Can You Get Type 1 and Type 2?
ResourcesDouble Diabetes: Can You Get Type 1 and Type 2?
Understanding Diabulimia: A Type 1 Diabetes Eating Disorder
ResourcesUnderstanding Diabulimia: A Type 1 Diabetes Eating Disorder
JDRF is Now Breakthrough T1D™
ResourcesJDRF is Now Breakthrough T1D™
Breakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF) Offers Resources to Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesBreakthrough T1D (Formerly JDRF) Offers Resources to Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
LADA Diabetes - Everything You Need to Know about Type 1.5
ResourcesLADA Diabetes - Everything You Need to Know about Type 1.5
Diabetes and Your Weight: Helpful Tips to Manage the Risks
ResourcesDiabetes and Your Weight: Helpful Tips to Manage the Risks
9 Tips for Better Time in Range
Resources9 Tips for Better Time in Range
Type 1 Diabetes and Family History
ResourcesType 1 Diabetes and Family History
Different Types of Diabetes
ResourcesDifferent Types of Diabetes
Low Blood Sugar Anxiety
ResourcesLow Blood Sugar Anxiety
7 Summer Safety Tips with Type 1 Diabetes
Resources7 Summer Safety Tips with Type 1 Diabetes
Gluroo: A User-Friendly App that Streamlines Diabetes Management
ResourcesGluroo: A User-Friendly App that Streamlines Diabetes Management
Top Questions to Ask Your Endocrinologist
ResourcesTop Questions to Ask Your Endocrinologist
Camping with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesCamping with Type 1 Diabetes
The Down Low on DKA
ResourcesThe Down Low on DKA
The Special Diabetes Program and Why it’s Important
ResourcesThe Special Diabetes Program and Why it’s Important
What to Do With Extra Diabetes Supplies 
ResourcesWhat to Do With Extra Diabetes Supplies 
GLP-1s for Weight Loss and People with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesGLP-1s for Weight Loss and People with Type 1 Diabetes
Pumping Iron and Pumping Insulin: How the Two Go Hand in Hand
ResourcesPumping Iron and Pumping Insulin: How the Two Go Hand in Hand
Diabetes and Nutrition: Why What You Eat Matters
ResourcesDiabetes and Nutrition: Why What You Eat Matters
Inhaled Insulin – Everything You Need to Know
ResourcesInhaled Insulin – Everything You Need to Know
Most Popular Films with a Diabetes Twist
ResourcesMost Popular Films with a Diabetes Twist
 9 Ways to Raise Blood Sugar Quickly
Resources 9 Ways to Raise Blood Sugar Quickly
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Seeks Solutions to Cure T1D
ResourcesVertex Pharmaceuticals Seeks Solutions to Cure T1D
Keep it Simple This Year with No Resolutions—Just Healthy Habits
ResourcesKeep it Simple This Year with No Resolutions—Just Healthy Habits
DiabetesSangha – A Meditation Community Where All is Welcome
ResourcesDiabetesSangha – A Meditation Community Where All is Welcome
The T1D Thyroid Disease Connection
ResourcesThe T1D Thyroid Disease Connection
8 Tips to Help You Sleep with Diabetes
Resources8 Tips to Help You Sleep with Diabetes
Tandem Diabetes Care Revolutionizes Insulin Delivery with Dexcom G7 Integration
ResourcesTandem Diabetes Care Revolutionizes Insulin Delivery with Dexcom G7 Integration
Top 7 Diabetes Podcasts to Educate, Empower and Entertain
ResourcesTop 7 Diabetes Podcasts to Educate, Empower and Entertain
Diabetes and Addiction
ResourcesDiabetes and Addiction
Connected in Motion: A Diabetes Camp for Adults
ResourcesConnected in Motion: A Diabetes Camp for Adults
StartUp Health’s T1D Moonshot Ignites a Call to Action 
ResourcesStartUp Health’s T1D Moonshot Ignites a Call to Action 
Empowering Lives: Nonprofits Making a Difference in the Type 1 Diabetes Community
ResourcesEmpowering Lives: Nonprofits Making a Difference in the Type 1 Diabetes Community
Navigating the Sweet Spooks: A Guide to a Safe Halloween with Diabetes
ResourcesNavigating the Sweet Spooks: A Guide to a Safe Halloween with Diabetes
Enhance-d: A Software Solution to Simplify Glucose Management
ResourcesEnhance-d: A Software Solution to Simplify Glucose Management
Amazon Pharmacy Now Offers Insulin for $35 a Month
ResourcesAmazon Pharmacy Now Offers Insulin for $35 a Month
Diabetes and School - Know Your Rights
ResourcesDiabetes and School - Know Your Rights
Diabetes Support Groups for Young Adults
ResourcesDiabetes Support Groups for Young Adults
Dry Eye Syndrome and Diabetes
ResourcesDry Eye Syndrome and Diabetes
Undermyfork, a Mobile App Success in Diabetes Management
ResourcesUndermyfork, a Mobile App Success in Diabetes Management
Preparing for Emergencies with Type 1 Diabetes
ResourcesPreparing for Emergencies with Type 1 Diabetes
Finding the Right Automated Insulin Delivery System for You
ResourcesFinding the Right Automated Insulin Delivery System for You
Enable Biosciences – Transforming Early T1D Detection
ResourcesEnable Biosciences – Transforming Early T1D Detection
Load More
background image

Knowledge Base

Resources

Knowledge hub for advanced information on Type 1 Diabetes.

Learn more

arrow

I May Have T1D Rather Than T2D?

Understanding common queries and exclusive information about diabetes of any type.

Learn more

arrow

Life with T1D

Strategies to enhance lifestyle optimization with Type 1 Diabetes.

Learn more

arrow

Personal Stories

Life stories of relentless individuals fostering resilience and empowering others.

Learn more

arrow

Newly Diagnosed

Insightful guidance, strategic tips, and inspiring narratives.

Learn more

arrow

T1D Basics

Fundamental lifestyle suggestions for optimal nutrition, emotions and innovative routines.

Learn more

arrow

Daily Management

Revamp your lifestyle with our transformative guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes management.

Learn more

arrow

T1D Strong News

Stay updated with the latest from T1D Strong: product updates, company events, notable achievements and our future plans.

Learn more

arrow