11. Hyperinsulinism

Hyperinsulinism is another term that is often used synonymously with hypoglycemia. (However, hypoglycemia is not necessarily accompanied by hyperinsulinism.) This term simply means too much insulin in the blood. Another interesting tie-in of the adrenal glands and the pancreas is seen here. When the amount of insulin necessary to do the job on a given amount of sugar has been secreted, it is the job of an adrenal hormone to send a message to the pancreas to stop producing insulin. A sluggish adrenal will be late in this function, thus allowing an overproduction of insulin with a resultant excessive lowering of the blood sugar. Epinephrine and norepinephrine act directly on the pancreatic islets to inhibit insulin secretion.