Insulin is a hormone that regulates the body’s energy. Administering insulin to a non-diabetic individual carries significant risks. Even a small amount can disrupt the delicate balance of blood sugar, leading to severe health complications. This article explains the body’s natural glucose management, the immediate and severe consequences of excess insulin, and necessary emergency protocols.
How the Body Manages Glucose
The human body maintains blood glucose levels within a narrow range using the pancreas and two hormones: insulin and glucagon. When food is consumed, carbohydrates break down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream. In response to rising blood glucose, the pancreas’s beta cells release insulin. Insulin allows glucose to enter cells throughout the body, where it is used for energy or stored, primarily as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
Conversely, when blood glucose levels fall, such as between meals or during fasting, the pancreas’s alpha cells release glucagon. Glucagon signals the liver to convert stored glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. This interplay ensures a steady glucose supply for the body, especially the brain, which relies almost exclusively on glucose for fuel. A non-diabetic person’s body produces the correct amount of insulin to maintain this balance.
The Immediate Impact of Excess Insulin
Introducing external insulin into a non-diabetic system disrupts this natural equilibrium, leading to a rapid and dangerous drop in blood glucose levels, known as hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood sugar falls below 4 mmol/L (72 mg/dL), though symptoms can appear below 3.3 mmol/L (60 mg/dL). The brain, highly dependent on glucose, is particularly vulnerable to this deprivation.
The onset of symptoms can be quick and vary among individuals. Common early indicators include sweating, trembling or shakiness, and a fast heartbeat. As blood sugar continues to fall, individuals may experience hunger, dizziness, anxiety, or irritability. Further progression can lead to more noticeable signs such as confusion, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, or slurred speech.
These symptoms arise because the brain and other organs are deprived of their primary energy source, affecting their function. The severity and speed of the blood sugar drop are directly proportional to the amount of insulin taken.
Severe Health Consequences
If hypoglycemia in a non-diabetic is not promptly treated, the consequences can become severe. As blood glucose levels continue to decline, the brain’s energy supply becomes low, leading to functional impairment. This can manifest as clumsiness, loss of coordination, or unusual behavior due to the brain’s inability to process information normally.
Left unaddressed, severe hypoglycemia can escalate to seizures, which are uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain. Following a seizure, or if glucose deprivation is prolonged, the individual may lose consciousness and enter a coma. In extreme cases, prolonged and profound hypoglycemia can cause permanent brain damage, as neurons are damaged when glucose levels fall below a critical threshold, typically below 1.1 mmol/L (20 mg/dL) for an extended period. This can result in irreversible cognitive impairment, memory loss, or even brain death. The risk of accidental injury also increases during a hypoglycemic episode due to impaired judgment and loss of motor control.
Emergency Protocol
Immediate action is necessary if a non-diabetic has taken insulin. The first step is to call for emergency medical services. While waiting for professional help, if the person is conscious and able to swallow safely, provide fast-acting sugary foods or drinks. Examples include fruit juice, regular soda, glucose tablets, or hard candies.
Do not induce vomiting, as this could worsen the situation by further lowering blood sugar or causing aspiration if consciousness declines. Monitor the person closely for any changes until medical personnel arrive. Prompt intervention can prevent progression to severe complications such as seizures, coma, or permanent brain damage. Medical professionals will likely administer intravenous glucose if the person is unconscious or unable to take oral sugar.