How are blood glucose levels regulated in the body?

When blood glucose levels drop too low it is detected by hypothalamus. The release of insulin by the pancreas is stopped so no more glucose is converted to glycogen. Instead glycogen, which is stored in the liver, is broken down and coverted to glucose which is then absorbed into the blood stream, increasing the blood glucose to normal levels. When blood glucose levels are too high this is again detected by the hypothalamus. The breakdown of glycogen to glucose in the liver is inhibited (stopped) and the pancreas is stimulated to release more insulin. The insulin causes the liver to take in glucose from the blood and convert the glucose to glycogen, therefore removing it from the blood stream and causing the blood glucose levels to drop back to normal levels. This regulation of blood glucose levels is part of homeostasis- the maintenance of a constant internal environment.