Endocrinology: counter-regulation of hypoglycaemia: practice question

A Physiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Physiology · Endocrinology: counter-regulation of hypoglycaemia

Sample item

In a healthy person with falling blood glucose after an insulin injection, which hormone is released first and most rapidly to raise glucose?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Glucagon

Falling insulin and low glucose stimulate alpha cells to release glucagon, which raises hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis within minutes. Adrenaline follows and is important when glucagon is deficient. Cortisol and growth hormone act more slowly over hours by reducing glucose use.

Option by option

  • A. Thyroxine

    Thyroxine is not a counter-regulatory hormone in acute hypoglycaemia.

  • B. Cortisol

    Cortisol acts over hours by promoting gluconeogenesis and reducing glucose use.

  • C. Growth hormone

    Growth hormone acts over hours by reducing glucose uptake.

  • D. Glucagon (correct)

    Correct. Glucagon is the first line counter-regulatory hormone.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, Glucagon. Falling insulin and low glucose stimulate alpha cells to release glucagon, which raises hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis within minutes.

Why is "Thyroxine" not the answer?

Thyroxine is not a counter-regulatory hormone in acute hypoglycaemia.

Why is "Cortisol" not the answer?

Cortisol acts over hours by promoting gluconeogenesis and reducing glucose use.

Why is "Growth hormone" not the answer?

Growth hormone acts over hours by reducing glucose uptake.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: counter-regulation of hypoglycaemia in Physiology. Adrenaline follows and is important when glucagon is deficient. Cortisol and growth hormone act more slowly over hours by reducing glucose use.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrinology: counter-regulation of hypoglycaemia?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.