Fasting Insulin

Fasting Insulin

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What's

Fasting Insulin

Fasting insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas, an organ located behind your stomach. Its main job is to control the amount of sugar, or glucose, in your blood. When you eat, your body breaks down the food into different parts, including glucose. This glucose goes into your bloodstream, and your pancreas releases insulin in response. Insulin works like a key, opening up your body's cells so they can take in the glucose and use it for energy. When you're fasting, your insulin levels show how much insulin your body makes when it's not reacting to food, giving important information about how your body handles blood sugar.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated fasting insulin levels might mean that your body is producing more insulin than normal, which could be due to various reasons such as a diet rich in sugar or carbs, not getting enough exercise, or taking certain medications. Over time, this can lead to a condition called insulin resistance, where your body's cells don't respond as well to insulin, making it harder for them to take in glucose for energy. This can result in higher blood sugar levels. It's also important to consider that factors like stress, lack of sleep, and certain health issues could contribute to increased fasting insulin levels.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Fasting Insulin may include frequent hunger, difficulty losing weight, tiredness, particularly after meals, and a tendency to carry excess weight around the waist.

If Your Levels are Low

Low fasting insulin levels might mean that your body isn't making enough insulin to properly handle the sugar in your blood. This could be due to various reasons, such as eating a diet with fewer carbs, engaging in intense exercise, or taking certain medications that can affect insulin production. Some possible underlying issues could be problems with your metabolism or your pancreas not making enough insulin. It's also possible that your body is just really good at using insulin, so it doesn't need as much to keep your blood sugar levels in check.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Fasting Insulin may not be immediately noticeable, but over time, they could include persistent fatigue, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and unexplained weight loss.

See References

Test for

Insulin, Fasting

Access Med Labs

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring fasting insulin. It is useful for monitoring insulin production in diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia.

Insulin, Fasting

Access Labcorp Draw

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring fasting insulin. It is useful for monitoring insulin production in diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia.

CardioPro Advanced

Access Med Labs

Serum

The CardioPro Advanced builds upon the CardioPro Basic by adding two more essential components to provide a clearer picture of a patient’s cardiovascular state. It includes the PLAC test and Vitamin D, 25-OH, which is proven to be preventative for heart disease and strokes.

CardioPro Basic

Access Med Labs

Serum

The CardioPro Basic panel is a baseline test that provides in-depth insight into the various factors that play a role in determining heart health.

HOMA-IR w/ Beta Cell Function

Boston Heart Diagnostics

Serum

This test uses the Homeostatic Model Assessment to approximate a patient's insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and beta cell function. Please be advised that Boston Heart Diagnostics policy states that practitioners cannot order labs on themselves or their immediate family members.

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

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