Which hormone increases hepatic glucose production and is commonly elevated during stress?

• A. Cortisol
• B. Insulin
• C. Glucagon
• D. Calcitonin

Answer: (A)

Under stress, the body needs more glucose to fuel tissues, so hormones that drive glucose production in the liver rise. Cortisol does this by promoting gluconeogenesis in the liver and by reducing how much glucose other tissues take up, helping raise blood glucose levels. It also supports providing substrates for glucose production through protein breakdown and lipolysis, which is why cortisol is a major player in the stress response and hyperglycemia that accompanies it. Glucagon does promote hepatic glucose production as well, but the classic stress response is best characterized by elevated cortisol. Insulin would counteract this effect by lowering blood glucose, and calcitonin has no direct role in hepatic glucose production.