When & How Often to Check Insulin Levels

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Answers to common questions about testing your insulin levels
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Believe it or not, insulin testing is different from traditional blood sugar testing. While blood sugar tests provide your blood sugar levels, insulin tests pinpoint low blood sugar, insulin resistance, along with other conditions, like pancreatic tumors. [1] If you’re interested in getting your insulin tested, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to discover all the answers to your frequently asked, insulin test-related questions.

How to Measure Insulin Levels: A Quick Guide

Unlike blood sugar levels, it’s not possible to test your insulin levels at home. These tests are done for different reasons. If you’re having symptoms of low blood sugar or are diabetic, ask a doctor to order an insulin test. Only get the test as often as your doctor recommends.

Question 1 of 7:

Can you test your insulin levels at home?

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  1. Unfortunately, insulin tests are a lot more complicated than blood sugar tests, and can only be processed by trained technicians using specialty lab equipment. Because of this, you can only get your test results from a laboratory. [2]
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Question 2 of 7:

Are insulin and blood sugar tests the same?

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  1. A blood sugar test uses an at-home blood sugar meter or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to analyze your blood sugar levels. [3] An insulin test is a medical test that measures how much insulin is in your blood. [4]
    • Insulin tests can also figure out the cause of low blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia.
    • Insulin resistance is a condition where your cells don’t use insulin well and can’t process glucose as easily. Because of this, your pancreas ends up producing even more insulin. [5]
Question 3 of 7:

When should I get my insulin tested?

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  1. If you’re experiencing dizziness, blurry vision, huge hunger pangs, confusion, irregular heartbeat, sweating, or trembling, you might have hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. An insulin test can provide a more concrete diagnosis. [6]
  2. 2
    Your doctor might advise getting tested if you’re diabetic. An insulin test helps your doctor keep an eye on your insulin production. Your doctor might also recommend a test if they believe that you have insulin resistance, even if you aren’t diabetic. [7]
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Question 4 of 7:

How often do I need this test?

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  1. Both diabetic and non-diabetic people are eligible for insulin tests, but for different reasons. For non-diabetics, this test can check for insulin resistance, and pinpoint the cause of your low blood sugar. For diabetic individuals, insulin tests can help doctors keep tabs on your condition. [8]
Question 5 of 7:

How do you measure your insulin levels?

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  1. Once your doctor schedules the test, schedule an appointment at a laboratory. During your appointment, technicians will collect a blood sample from your arm. Once the blood sample is tested, the lab will let you know if your insulin levels were especially low or high. [9]
    • Ask the lab when they expect your results to be ready.
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Question 6 of 7:

How do I prepare before an insulin test?

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  1. Double-check with your doctor to confirm, so your insulin test can go without a hitch. [10]
Question 7 of 7:

What do my test results look like?

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  1. [11] If your test results are “high,” you might have high blood sugar (hypoglycemia), insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, an adrenal gland disorder, or a pancreatic tumor (insulinoma). If your results are “low,” you could have type 1 diabetes, low blood sugar (hyperglycemia), or an inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis). Talk to your doctor to see what they think about your results. [12]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I better control my insulin levels with diet?
    Damaris Vega, MD
    Board Certified Endocrinologist
    Dr. Damaris Vega is a board certified Endocrinologist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a BS in General Science and subsequently earned an MD from the Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, PR. During medical school, Dr. Vega served as president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was selected as her school's representative for the American Association of Medical Colleges. She then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Mineral, and Metabolism at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Vega has been recognized for excellent patient care multiple times by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and received the Patients' Choice Award in 2008, 2009, and 2015. She is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists and is an active member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. Dr. Vega is also the founder and CEO of Houston Endocrinology Center as well as a principal investigator for multiple clinical trials at Juno Research, LLC.
    Damaris Vega, MD
    Board Certified Endocrinologist
    Expert Answer
    The most important thing is to limit your carbohydrate intake, and choose carbohydrates that are better for you. For instance, you might opt for brown rice instead of white rice, and have a smaller portion. Also, opt for carbohydrates from fresh fruits and vegetables rather than processed foods.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
      2. ↑ https://labtestsonline.org/tests/insulin
      3. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/blood-sugar/art-20046628
      4. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
      5. ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance
      6. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
      7. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
      8. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
      9. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
      1. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
      2. ↑ https://labtestsonline.org/tests/insulin
      3. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/

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