Description
Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body don't respond properly to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. This can lead to high blood sugar levels.
Signs and symptoms of insulin resistance include:
- Weight gain
- Increased waistline
- High blood pressure
- Blurred vision
- Acanthosis nigricans, a skin condition that causes dark patches on skin folds
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination, especially at night
- Extreme fatigue
- Headaches
This panel includes the following test:
C-Peptide Test
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14)
Glucose Serum Test
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
Lipid Panel Test
Fasting recommended.
Additional information about each test is listed below:
A C-peptide test can help determine if insulin resistance is present and can be used to diagnose and treat diabetes.
A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) can indirectly help assess insulin resistance by measuring blood glucose levels, which can be elevated in individuals with insulin resistance, although a CMP alone is not a definitive diagnostic tool for insulin resistance and may require further testing with specific insulin sensitivity markers; it primarily serves as a screening tool to identify potential metabolic issues including potential prediabetes or diabetes linked to insulin resistance.
A Glucose Serum Test measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, circulating in your bloodstream. Glucose is the primary source of energy for your body's cells, and it comes from the foods you eat, particularly carbohydrates. The body uses a hormone called insulin to help regulate glucose levels by allowing sugar to enter cells.
The Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Blood Test is a diagnostic tool for monitoring and diagnosing diabetes. This test measures the average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months, providing an indication of the patient's blood sugar control over time. HbA1c is a protein in red blood cells that binds to glucose in the blood. Because red blood cells live for about 3 months, the HbA1c test gives an average of blood sugar levels over that period.
A lipid panel test can be used to assess insulin resistance because certain patterns within the lipid profile, particularly a high triglyceride level and low HDL cholesterol, are often associated with insulin resistance, making it a valuable tool for identifying individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome and related complications like cardiovascular disease; essentially, the lipid panel can act as an indicator of potential insulin resistance without directly measuring insulin levels.
