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 Absent 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.

Insulin Resistance Symptoms

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

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.