Description
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, causing elevated insulin levels and increasing the risk for Type 2 diabetes, weight gain, hormonal imbalance, and cardiovascular disease.
This panel evaluates key biomarkers that reflect your insulin production, insulin sensitivity, and overall metabolic function — often before blood sugar levels show abnormalities.
Included Biomarkers:
- Insulin, Intact
- Measures the amount of insulin in your bloodstream. Elevated fasting insulin can indicate early insulin resistance before changes in glucose levels appear.
- C-Peptide
- A marker of insulin production. C-peptide helps assess how much insulin your pancreas is making, offering insight into whether insulin levels are high due to resistance or low due to deficiency.
- Insulin Resistance Score (e.g., HOMA-IR)
- A calculated index based on fasting insulin and glucose values. This score helps determine the degree of insulin resistance and risk for metabolic syndrome or prediabetes.
Why These Biomarkers Matter:
Insulin resistance often develops silently and may not cause noticeable symptoms right away. Evaluating these biomarkers provides early warning signs, especially in individuals experiencing:
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Increased appetite or sugar cravings
- Weight gain around the midsection
- High blood pressure
- Irregular menstrual cycles (in women)
- Skin darkening in folds (acanthosis nigricans)
- A family history of diabetes or metabolic syndrome
Test Details:
- Specimen Type: Blood
- Fasting: Yes – 8 to 12 hours recommended
