insulin fasting test

Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the Beta cells of the pancreatic islets. The Insulin hormone is considered as one of the most powerful hormone in the human body and is responsible for maintaining the blood sugar levels to a normal range. Insulin also helps the body in the absorption of sugar from carbohydrates found in the food we eat, for use as energy or to store it as glucose for future use. 

Too low and too high levels of insulin are equally harmful for the body.

Too high levels of insulins can cause the blood sugar levels to fall leading to hypoglycaemia and too low levels of insulin can lead to the increase of blood sugar levels in the body resulting in a condition known as hyperglycaemia.

Insulin resistance is the condition where the cells do not respond normally to Insulin and needs excess amount of insulin to maintain the healthy glucose levels in the body, a task which earlier required lesser amount of insulin. During Insulin resistance the excess glucose is not absorbed properly by the cell even with the presence of insulin leading to elevated levels of blood sugar. 

Insulin resistance one of the prime factors behind pre diabetic condition, diabetes type 2 and gestational diabetes.

There is no visible insulin resistance symptom at the early stage of the problem and the symptoms begin to show themselves up only after the problem has progressed to a secondary stage. The common insulin resistance symptoms are as follows;

• Lethargy
• Hunger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Weight gain
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol level

The exact causes of insulin resistance is yet to be ascertained, however, the condition is mostly found if one or more of the following factors apply;

• Being Overweight or obese
• Having a high calorie diet that include rich amount of carbohydrates and sugar.
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Intake of high doses of steroids
• Chronic stress
• Cushing’s disease
• Polycystic ovary disease
• Excessive amount of liver and pancreatic fat
• High level of inflammation
• High insulin level in the blood

The main insulin resistance treatment involves various methodology to reduce the effects of insulin resistance. Some of the methodologies used in Insulin resistance treatment include;

• Following a ketogenic diet or low carbohydrate diet
• Following a low calorie diet
• Daily exercising 
• Weight loss surgery for extremely obese people

Insulin blood test also referred to as fasting insulin test, is a test used to measure the amount of insulin in the body. It is also used to monitor the treatment of abnormal insulin levels and also to monitor insulin resistance.

Fasting insulin test is required for the following reason;

• To help detect the presence of an insulin producing tumour in the pancreas
• To determine the cause behind low blood sugar
• To identify insulin resistance
• To determine the need of taking insulin from outside to supplement medication in type 2 diabetes

The Insulin blood test is usually advised by a doctor, when a person shows the following symptoms;

• Sweating
• Palpitations
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• To monitor insulin production in diabetes
• If the doctor suspects of insulin resistance

Insulin blood test or Fasting insulin test as the name suggests requires fasting of minimum 8 hours or more as advised by the doctor.

The Insulin test requires blood sample that is usually drawn from the veins on the inside of the elbow. The blood sample is then sent for testing and the test results are available usually on the same day.

Insulin normal range averages between 2.6 - 24.9 mcIU/mL

During fasting, if the glucose level is below 40mg/dL, high insulin level, plus high levels of proinsulin and C – peptide indicate towards insulinoma

Insulin levels are usually low in people suffering from type 1 Diabetes mellitus

In the primary stage of type 2 diabetes, insulin levels are either high or normal and in the secondary stage of type 2 diabetes, insulin levels are low

In normal healthy individuals insulin levels are proportional to blood glucose levels.

We can help you get this insulin blood test easily at home, through our expert pathological lab services that is part of our at - home  healthcare services. So if need insulin test at home, don’t look any further and contact us to witness superior quality services delivered to you within the comfort of your home. In the insulin test at home, our representative phlebotomists will visit you at the time and day of your convenience and draw the blood sample. After the testing, the insulin test results are made available online.