Home›Insulin, Fasting

Content created by

Written by

PGDHHM, BDS

Reviewed by

Dr. Anupriya Nautiyal

MD Pathology, MBBS

Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

Insulin, Fasting

Also known as Fasting insulin, Insulin serum, Insulin F

₹719~~₹800~~ 10% Off

You need to provide

Blood

This test is for

Male, Female

Earliest reports in

18 hours

Test Preparation

Overnight fasting (8-12 hrs) is required. Do not eat or drink anything except water before the test.

Understanding Insulin, Fasting

What is Insulin, Fasting?

The Insulin, Fasting test checks the levels of insulin hormone in the blood after fasting for 8-12 hours. This hormone is made by pancreas that controls blood sugar levels. This test helps check how well your body is using insulin. It also helps determine your risk for insulin resistance (where the body does not respond properly to insulin).

Insulin helps the body's cells use blood sugar for energy. When cells do not respond well to insulin (called insulin resistance), the levels of blood sugar rises. The Insulin, Fasting test checks for abnormal blood sugar metabolism and insulin resistance. These problems are often seen in individuals with diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome (includes belly fat, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and cholesterol levels) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

The Insulin, Fasting test is usually done with other glucose-related tests, such as fasting blood glucose or oral glucose tolerance tests. The doctor may advise this test following a low blood glucose test result and/or if you have low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) symptoms, such as:

Profuse sweating
Nervousness or anxiety
Irritability
Confusion
Dizziness
Hunger
Fast heartbeat, etc.

This test can also help detect insulinomas, which are insulin-producing tumors in the pancreas.

The Insulin, Fasting test is generally safe and well-tolerated. However, you may experience minimal discomfort or bruising at the blood draw site. You will need to fast for 8-12 hours (only drinking water is permitted). You should inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, as some may impact the test results.

Test results may vary across laboratories due to differences in methodologies and laboratory guidelines. Do not self-medicate and always consult a doctor to understand your test results correctly. Your doctor will use these results to determine if you need medications, lifestyle changes or other treatments to manage your condition.

Lifestyle Tips to Support Healthy Insulin Levels:

Healthy weight: Maintaining a healthy weight supports insulin sensitivity and decreases insulin resistance.

🥗Eat (Diet): Eat a high-fiber, low-sugar diet with leafy greens, legumes, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins to improve insulin resistance and diabetes.

🏃 Activity (Exercise): Engage in regular physical activity such as walking, strength training, or yoga to help the body absorb glucose more efficiently, lowering insulin resistance.

🛌 Lifestyle (Sleep): Prioritize quality sleep. Poor sleep can increase insulin resistance and disrupt metabolic health.

👩‍⚕️ Talk to Your Doctor (Consult): Do not self-medicate. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medications or supplements or making major lifestyle changes.

🚭Habits (Alcohol & Smoking): These habits can worsen insulin resistance and disrupt blood sugar control.

What is Insulin, Fasting used for?

The Insulin, Fasting test can be done:

A. If You Have Symptoms (hypoglycemic symptoms)

Sweating
Feeling shaky or jittery
Arrhythmia (a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat)
Confusion
Dizziness
Headache
Hunger

B. If there are risk factors

Prediabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Heart disease
Acanthosis nigricans (an abnormal skin condition), heart disease, or metabolic syndrome

C. In special population

Undergone a glucose blood test (if test results are low)
Undergone pancreatic surgery

What does Insulin, Fasting measure?

The Insulin, Fasting test evaluates the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels by measuring the amount of insulin in the blood after an overnight fast. Glucose is a source of energy for the body to perform daily activities. Your body gets glucose from carbohydrates that are consumed in the diet. These carbohydrates are digested and converted into simple sugar (glucose). The cells then absorb the required amount of glucose to produce energy, and the remaining amount is stored in other forms, like fats. Insulin hormone helps the cells to uptake glucose from the blood for utilization and storage. Thus, it is necessary to maintain insulin levels in your body.

Interpreting Insulin, Fasting results

Interpretations

Normal range (Approx.): 2.0 - 25.0 uU/ml

A fasting Insulin test is usually ordered with a Fasting glucose test, and the results are interpreted as follows:

Fasting insulin level	Fasting glucose level	Disorder
Normal	Normal	None
High	Normal or slightly high	Insulin Resistance
Low	High	Insufficient insulin production, e.g., diabetes
Normal or high	Low	Hypoglycemia due to over-secretion of insulin

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Insulin, Fasting

Frequently Asked Questions about Insulin, Fasting

Q. What other tests can be prescribed by the doctor in case the results of the Insulin, Fasting test are not normal?

Other tests that may be prescribed when the results of the Insulin, Fasting test are abnormal include a blood glucose, proinsulin, C-peptide, cortisol, and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHOB) test.

Q. What does the Insulin, Fasting test measure?

The Insulin, Fasting test measures the total amount of insulin in the blood after a period of overnight fasting (8-12 hours).

Q. Which diseases are diagnosed with the Insulin, Fasting test?

The Insulin, Fasting test helps identify conditions like hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), hyperglycemia (high blood glucose), and insulinoma (the presence of an insulin-producing tumor in the islet cells of the pancreas).

Q. What does a fasting insulin level tell you?

Your fasting insulin level shows how much insulin your body makes without the influence of food. High levels may suggest insulin resistance. Low levels may indicate reduced insulin secretion.

Q. What can cause high insulin levels in the blood?

High insulin levels in the blood can happen for many reasons. These include not being active, being overweight, getting older, eating too many carbs, or having a family history of diabetes. It can also be caused by pregnancy, poor sleep, health conditions like fatty liver or PCOS, hormone problems like Cushing’s syndrome or acromegaly, smoking, and certain medications like steroids, antipsychotics, or HIV drugs.

Q. What can cause low insulin levels in the blood?

Low levels of insulin may occur in the blood due to type 1 diabetes, hypopituitarism (low secretion of pituitary hormones), and pancreatic diseases like pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer.

Q. What are the common symptoms of hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia, or very low levels of glucose in the blood, can cause symptoms like sweating, nausea, weakness, palpitations, dizziness, hunger, trembling, confusion, irritability, anxiety, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, seizures, etc.

Q. Does high insulin mean diabetes?

Hyperinsulinemia or a high insulin level means the amount of insulin in the blood is higher than usual. On its own, hyperinsulinemia is not exactly diabetes; however, it is often associated with type 2 diabetes.

Q. What is the difference between Insulin, Fasting test and FBS test?

The Insulin, Fasting test measures insulin levels, while the fasting blood sugar (FBS) test measures blood sugar. Together, they help detect prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance.

Q. What factors can affect insulin secretion?

Insulin secretion can be influenced by: a) Diet (especially high sugar intake), b) Obesity, c) Physical activity, d) Genetics, e) Hormonal changes.

Q. What is the price of Insulin, Fasting test?

The fasting insulin test price can vary depending on various factors. These may include your location, diagnostic laboratory, and whether the test is done as a single test or as part of a health screening package.

+ more