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Pancreas conditions in women

Your pancreas makes digestive enzymes and the hormones insulin and glucagon, which keep blood sugar steady.

Illustration of the pancreas
Illustration: Servier Medical Art, CC BY 4.0 (resized; some images adapted)

For education only — this guide can't diagnose you. If these signs sound familiar, talk with a healthcare provider. Book a consult 

Conditions that affect your pancreas 4

Each guide covers early signs, labs to ask about, and when to see a doctor.

Signs worth getting checked

  • Extreme thirst and frequent urination
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Blood sugar swings or frequent infections
  • Greasy or oily stools

About your pancreas

What it does

Clusters of cells in the pancreas (islets) release insulin to move sugar into cells and glucagon to raise blood sugar between meals. The rest of the pancreas makes enzymes that digest fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

Common issues

  • Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
  • Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
  • Low digestive enzymes, causing greasy, floating stools
Dr. Lesher, ND

Ready to find the root cause?

Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.

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