INSULIN RESISTANCE
01 Overview
02 Details
Why Get Tested?
To help evaluate insulin production by the beta cells in the pancreas; to help diagnose the presence of an insulin-producing tumor in the islet cells of the pancreas (insulinoma); to help determine the cause of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia); to help identify insulin resistance, or to help determine when a type 2 diabetic might need to start taking insulin to supplement oral medications.
When to Get Tested?
When you have low blood glucose levels with symptoms such as sweating, palpitations, dizziness, fainting; when you have diabetes and your health practitioner wants to monitor your insulin production; sometimes when it is suspected that you have insulin resistance.
Sample Required?
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.
Test Preparation Needed?
You may be asked to fast for 8 hours before the blood sample is collected, but occasionally a health practitioner may do the test with, for example, a glucose tolerance test. In some cases, a health practitioner may request that you fast longer.
Laboratory tests most likely to be ordered include:
- Glucose. This is usually performed fasting but, in some cases, a health practitioner may also order a GTT (glucose tolerance test, several glucose tests that are taken before and at timed intervals after a glucose challenge). The goal of glucose testing is to determine whether a patient has an impaired response to glucose.
- The fasting insulin test is variable, but insulin levels will usually be elevated in those with significant insulin resistance.