Define Hyposecretion of Insulin

You may already be aware that an insufficiency of insulin in the body leads to the development of diabetes mellitus. It is caused by the degeneration of p-cells of Langerhans, from where you learnt earlier that insulin is secreted. Inactivation of p-cells may be inherited from the parents or sometimes antibodies may develop against p-cells. Patients suffering from diabetes mellitus have a blood glucose level higher than normal. Sometimes it exceeds the renal threshold level and glucose is found in urine.

If high concentration of glucose is present in urine, an excess amount of water is excreted leading to polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), polyphagia (excessive hunger) and dehydration (water loss). Also excess amount of fats are metabolized to the stage of ketoacids. Insulin is not stored in the body. So it has to be given daily to a young diabetes mellitus patient, if required. In adults, diabetes mellitus develops if there is a lack of insulin receptors. Insulin is normal or high, but non-reactive. In such patients, anti-diabetic drugs and strict dietary regimen are essential to maintain blood glucose levels.