Background information - A patient who is otherwise fine (ie. no other illness s

Question

Background information - A patient who is otherwise fine (ie. no other illness symptoms) sees the doctor due to development of: weight loss, excessive urination and thirst. After testing, the patient was diagnosed with a glucagonoma- a pancreatic alpha cell tumor that is secreting high levels of glucagon in an unregulated manner

Question - Explain the processes and mechanisms by which excess glucagon caused excessive urination and thirst in this patient.

(120 words or less. Please do not just copy paste something from google to make an attempt at getting free points)

Explanation / Answer

Glucagon secreted by the alpha pancreatic cells has opposing effects on insulin hormonal activity. Glucagon helps break down glycogen to produce more amount of glucose when blood glucose levels are low. Thus, when uncontrolled levels of glucagon is produced it will cause uncontrolled production of glucose in blood i.e. hyperglycemia.

Now, when there is excess glucose circulating in the blood the kidneys will filter more and more glucose from the blood. The load of glucose exceeds more than what the kidney can reabsorb. Thus, this excess of glucose is retained by the lumen of the renal tubule. When more amounts of sugars is present in the tubule. It will cause more amount of water to be retained in the tubule. This is the reason for frequent urination. As the person urinates more frequently, it will make him thirstier.

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