Insulin, Fasting

An insulin in blood test measures the amount of insulin in blood. Insulin is a hormone that your pancreas makes. It helps move blood glucose (blood sugar) from bloodstream into cells where it's used for energy. Glucose comes from many foods we eat. It's your body's main source of energy

An insulin test is often considered for a few important reasons related to managing blood sugar and diagnosing conditions related to insulin production or resistance. Here are some reasons why an insulin test may be recommended:

1. Diagnosing Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance is when the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, often leading to higher levels of insulin in the blood. This condition is commonly associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
2. Diagnosing Diabetes: An insulin test can help in diagnosing diabetes, particularly in conjunction with fasting blood glucose levels or HbA1c tests. In type 1 diabetes, insulin production is low or absent, whereas, in type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance may occur.
3. Evaluating Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): When a person experiences symptoms of low blood sugar (like dizziness, sweating, or confusion), an insulin test can help determine if an overproduction of insulin is the cause.
4. Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS may have insulin resistance, and an insulin test can be used as part of the diagnosis or monitoring of the condition.
5. Monitoring Diabetes Management: For people already diagnosed with diabetes, insulin testing can be used to help doctors assess how well insulin therapy is working and whether adjustments are needed.
6. Identifying Hyperinsulinemia: This refers to excess insulin levels in the blood and may be indicative of insulin resistance, obesity, or other underlying health issues.

This test is considered when :

  Insulin Resistance: If cells aren’t responding well to insulin, pancreas will produce more insulin to compensate. High fasting insulin levels can be a sign of insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

  Diagnosis of Metabolic Disorders: It helps in identifying conditions that involve abnormal insulin production or glucose metabolism.

  Type 1 Diabetes: In some cases, a low insulin level may point to a lack of insulin production, common in type 1 diabetes.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose  in blood enter cells in muscle, fat, and liver, where it’s used for energy. Glucose comes from the food. The liver also makes glucose in times of need, such as when we are fasting. When blood glucose, also called blood sugar, levels rise after we eat, pancreas releases insulin into the blood. Insulin then lowers blood glucose to keep it in the normal range.

Normally, insulin and blood glucose levels rise and fall together:

• Blood glucose levels increase after you eat.
• When blood glucose rises, your pancreas releases more insulin into your blood.
• The insulin lets glucose get into your cells, which lowers your blood glucose level.
• When your blood glucose level returns to a range that's normal for you, your insulin levels decrease, too.