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Why does hyperglycemia make one feel hungry?

Hypoglycemia resulting in insulin deficiency/resistance does this as well, but the two conditions are polar opposites in terms of blood sugar. How can they both cause hunger?

Shouldn’t hyperglycemia provide ample energy for the body’s cells? I understand that the cells are surrounded by glucose, so why can’t they access it? What mechanism is being triggered (in, I assume, the insulin-glucagon axis)?

Also, why does hyperglycemia cause mental fatigue? Doesn’t the glucose supply fuel the brain?

Just because there’s glucose in the blood, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s getting to where it needs to go. Look up insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia, or read this:

http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/pancreas/insulin_phys.html

3 responses so far
  1. Mr. Peachy® Said,

    Just because there’s glucose in the blood, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s getting to where it needs to go. Look up insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia, or read this:
    http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/endocrine/pancreas/insulin_phys.html
    References :
    Lots of reading.

    I’m an insulin resistant diabetic, and I’ve wondered these things myself.

  2. glmoore24 Said,

    If you do not have enough insulin, there is no way for the glucose to get into the cells. Insulin opens the door so the sugar can enter the cell. Just like you are the one who opens the gas cap so gas Can get into your tank.
    References :

  3. Monica Said,

    Because in both cases your body is not getting the sugar it needs.

    In hypoglycemia your body is not getting the sugar it needs simply because you don’t have enough in your bloodstream.

    In hyperglycemia your body is not getting the sugar it needs because your body is either not utilizing (type 2 diabetes), or producing (type 1 diabetes) insulin … which is what breaks the sugar down into a form that your body can use. In other words, you have all that sugar flowing through your bloodstream, and your body can’t use it. So you’ll feel hungry because you need that sugar for energy.

    There are two possible reasons that your body can’t access the sugar. In type 1 diabetes the body does not produce any insulin. Insulin is what unlocks the cells in your body and allows the sugar to be used.

    In type 2 diabetes your cells become resistant to the insulin, so it doesn’t work as well.

    As far as the mental fatigue … well, again, if the sugar can’t get into the cells for whatever reason, your body can’t utilize it.
    References :

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