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Can Insulin Cause Liver Damage?

Published in Insulin and Liver 2 mins read

Insulin can potentially be associated with liver damage, but it's usually due to glycogenosis, not direct insulin toxicity.

How Insulin Use Can Affect the Liver

The reference indicates that liver issues related to insulin are likely due to glycogenosis:

  • Glycogenosis: This is the excessive accumulation of glycogen in the liver. This can occur when insulin promotes glucose uptake and storage as glycogen. The liver swells because of the high concentration of glycogen.

  • Reversibility: Importantly, this type of liver injury is usually reversible. According to the provided information, liver function typically returns to normal when insulin and glucose are discontinued.

Insulin Overdose and the Liver

While the primary concern is glycogenosis, an insulin overdose can also indirectly affect the liver. The extreme swings in blood sugar can place stress on the body and potentially impact liver function.

Summary

Aspect Description
Main Cause Glycogenosis (excessive glycogen storage)
Direct Insulin Toxicity Unlikely
Reversibility Usually reversible upon discontinuation of insulin and glucose
Other Considerations Insulin overdose can indirectly affect liver function due to severe blood sugar fluctuations.

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