INSULIN - FASTING

The Insulin - Fasting Test assesses the concentration of insulin, which is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin aids in the control of blood sugar levels by promoting the utilization of glucose by the cells within the body.  

• How It Works: After fasting, an individual’s insulin level should ideally be on the lower side. Higher than normal insulin production may suggest insulin resistance, prediabetes, or other metabolic disorders.  
• Why It’s Important: Detecting insulin resistance, diabetes, and hormonal imbalances at an early stage improves their management and helps to prevent long-term complications. 

The test measures: 

• Fasting insulin levels to assess how much insulin your body produces when it hasn’t had food recently. 
• It also gives a glimpse of how responsive your body is to insulin as well as the functioning of the pancreas. 

The health care professionals recommend taking the Insulin-Fasting Test when:  

• The patient shows signs of diabetes or hypoglycaemia (subordinate blood sugar).  
• There is suspicion of some kind of insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome.  
• Following up after treatment of type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or obesity.  
• Trying to find reasons for unusual weight fluctuations or unexplained lack of energy. 

Risks.  

Some minor risks include, bruising at draw site, fainting, or infection.  

Limitations.  

• Insulin levels may vary based on other factors like stress, other medications or health conditions. 
• Fasting insulin levels give a limited picture of a patient's nutritional health matrix. For valid interpretation, these results need to be in conjunction with fasting glucose or HOMA-IR index. 

The main include but are not limited to:  

• Fasting Insulin Concentration: which demonstrates the amount of insulin available in a certain volume of blood, indicated in micro international unit in every millilitre. (µIU/mL)  
• HOMA-IR Calculation: An estimation of insulin resistance is obtained with the aid of the formula: (Fasting insulin x Fasting glucose) divided by 405. 
• Modifications can be made according to age, BMI and other medical disorders. 

This test may be required if you possess the following traits: 

• Have a family history of developing diabetes. 
• Living with symptoms of either hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia. 
• Do have obesity, PCOS or metabolic syndrome. 
• Undergoing evaluation for cardiovascular risk linked with high insulin levels. 

• Insulin Resistance can be detected as early as possible before it escalates to diabetes. 
• It provides proper assistance for dietary, exercising and medication changes. 
• Monitoring in therapy effectiveness in patients undergoing treatment for diabetes or PCOS already. 
• Aiding in fatigue, sugar, and energy crash evaluations. 

These include but are not limited to: 

• Type II Diabetes 
• Prediabetes 
• Insulin Resistance 
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) 
• Metabolic Syndrome 
• Reactive Hypoglycaemia 
• Cushing’s syndrome (limited instances) 

Specific Instructions: 

Have a fasting period of 8–12 hours prior to blood draw (water is the only thing permitted). 

• Don’t consume alcohol or caffeine before the test.  
• Steroids, birth control pills, and antidiabetic medications are other drugs that require discussion with your physician.  

Prerequisites:  

Fasting for a minimum of eight hours before the test (water is allowed).  

Eligibility:  

Can be performed on adults, adolescents, and children when accompanied by suggestive symptoms or family history of insulin dysfunction.  

Procedure for Taking the Test:  

Blood sample is taken through venipuncture of the arm. 

Caution Before the Test:  

• Moderate to high-intensity exercises should be avoided the day before the test, as they can alter insulin and glucose levels.  
• If unwell, let your doctor know, as acute illness may impact the insulin outcome.