Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a deficiency of which hormone?

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a deficiency of insulin. This condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a crucial hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells, where it can be utilized for energy. Without sufficient insulin, glucose levels in the blood can become excessively high, leading to various health complications.

In contrast, the other hormones listed do not primarily regulate blood glucose levels like insulin does. Glucagon works to raise blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to release stored glucose, while cortisol is involved in metabolism and stress response, and adrenaline is related to the body's acute stress response. Understanding the critical role of insulin helps clarify why its deficiency is central to the pathology of Type 1 diabetes.