Insulin (Fasting) Test

• Fasting Insulin levels are done to determine if insulin resistance in cells is the cause of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)
• It is done to assess if pancreas is producing adequate amount of Insulin
• Antibodies to insulin form in longstanding diabetes mellitus treated with insulin hence in these patients monitoring insulin levels gives better prognosis

Insulin test measures insulin levels in the blood sample of a fasting patient.

Insulin test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.

• Normal fasting insulin & glucose level - Normal patient
• High fasting insulin & normal or slightly high glucose - Insulin resistance
• Low fasting insulin & high fasting glucose level - Insufficient insulin production i.e., Diabetes
• Normal or high fasting insulin and low glucose level - Over secretion of insulin e.g., insulinoma, factitious hypoglycaemia, Cushing syndrome

Obesity, hypothyroidism, and a high-carbohydrate diet are all linked to hypoinsulinemia, or low insulin levels. The levels of both insulin and glucose can occasionally rise as a result of the increased resistance of the cells to insulin. When the pancreas eventually becomes injured, the production of insulin is reduced, which leads to hypoinsulinemia.

Insulin has many purposes, one of which is enabling your cells to absorb blood sugar for energy. However, hyperinsulinemia can result in excessive weight gain and major health issues including cancer and heart disease.

If diabetes is not properly managed, it can harm the clusters of blood vessels in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood. This can lead to kidney damage and high blood pressure, which can also put extra strain on the kidneys' filtration process and exacerbate existing kidney issues

The following tests will be ordered along with the insulin (fasting) serum test:

• Glucose test
• C-peptide test
  
  
   

• Fasting Insulin Test
• Serum Insulin Test
• Insulin test

• Those with a family history of diabetes
• Those with a sedentary lifestyle
• Individuals who are overweight
• Those with high blood pressure or cholesterol
• Those experiencing frequent urination or increased thirst
• Those exhibiting signs of fatigue, blurred vision, tingling in the hands or feet
• Individuals who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
• Those with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
• Elderly people