Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Resource.

In patients with type 2 diabetes, it is most common to observe a decreased release of incretins. Incretins, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are hormones released after eating that help to regulate insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.

In the context of type 2 diabetes, patients often demonstrate an impaired incretin response. This means that despite the presence of glucose, the secretion of insulin is not adequately stimulated due to lower levels or effectiveness of incretins. This impaired incretin response contributes to postprandial hyperglycemia, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes.

The other aspects concerning incretins in type 2 diabetes include that there may be reduced insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues and a dysfunctional response to these hormones. It is crucial to understand that this decreased incretin effect is just one of the many dysregulations occurring in the metabolic pathways of individuals with type 2 diabetes, influencing their overall glucose control.