Part of an interesting Dr. blog post that point similarities between diabetes types.
When there are too few beta cells to the point that diabetes occurs, whether we are talking about type 1 or type 2, havoc is wreaked on the other 5 hormones secreted by the islet.
In those of us lucky enough to not have diabetes, our islet hormones are in constant communication with each other, in order to maintain blood glucose levels below 125 mg/dL 95% of the time. When beta cell numbers are diminished, insulin and amylin are deficient. All five islet hormones other than insulin are required within a healthy islet to accomplish the great feat of normal glucose values.
Full post by Claresa Levetan, MD:http://perlebioscience.com/beta_burnout/