Patients with early type 2 insulin resistance typically experience which change in hormone production?

In early type 2 insulin resistance, the body goes through hormonal changes as it tries to compensate for the decreased effectiveness of insulin. One of the notable changes is the production of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which is a hormone that usually helps to regulate blood sugar levels by promoting insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying.

In an insulin resistant state, one could expect that the overall function of the incretin hormones, including GLP-1, may be affected negatively, leading to decreased GLP-1 production. This change is significant because lower levels of GLP-1 may contribute to the difficulties in regulating blood glucose levels, as the hormone plays a crucial role in insulin secretion in response to food intake. Chronic insulin resistance can lead to a decline in the effectiveness of incretin hormones, including GLP-1, resulting in decreased production and exacerbating hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes.

This understanding is crucial for recognizing the shifts in hormone dynamics that occur in early type 2 diabetes and highlights the importance of monitoring these hormones when assessing and treating patients.