Which of the following are stress hormones that oppose insulin and increase blood glucose?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following are stress hormones that oppose insulin and increase blood glucose?

When the body faces stress, certain hormones act to raise blood glucose so tissues have quick energy. The main players that oppose insulin are cortisol, epinephrine, growth hormone, and related regulators. Cortisol, released from the adrenal cortex in response to ACTH, boosts liver gluconeogenesis and reduces glucose uptake by muscle and fat, so blood glucose stays high. Epinephrine (adrenaline) acts rapidly to break down stored glycogen in the liver and also dampens insulin release, driving glucose into the bloodstream quickly for immediate use. Growth hormone adds another layer of resistance to insulin’s action in peripheral tissues, promoting lipolysis and increasing hepatic glucose production, which raises blood glucose levels over time. ACTH itself doesn’t directly raise glucose but triggers cortisol synthesis, so it contributes to the effect indirectly. Thyroxine increases overall metabolic rate and can enhance hepatic glucose production and intestinal glucose output, further supporting higher glucose availability, especially in states of increased metabolism. Together, these hormones form a set of stress-related regulators that oppose insulin and elevate blood glucose, making them the best fit for the described concept.

When the body faces stress, certain hormones act to raise blood glucose so tissues have quick energy. The main players that oppose insulin are cortisol, epinephrine, growth hormone, and related regulators. Cortisol, released from the adrenal cortex in response to ACTH, boosts liver gluconeogenesis and reduces glucose uptake by muscle and fat, so blood glucose stays high. Epinephrine (adrenaline) acts rapidly to break down stored glycogen in the liver and also dampens insulin release, driving glucose into the bloodstream quickly for immediate use.

Growth hormone adds another layer of resistance to insulin’s action in peripheral tissues, promoting lipolysis and increasing hepatic glucose production, which raises blood glucose levels over time. ACTH itself doesn’t directly raise glucose but triggers cortisol synthesis, so it contributes to the effect indirectly. Thyroxine increases overall metabolic rate and can enhance hepatic glucose production and intestinal glucose output, further supporting higher glucose availability, especially in states of increased metabolism.

Together, these hormones form a set of stress-related regulators that oppose insulin and elevate blood glucose, making them the best fit for the described concept.

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