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An insulin blood test is a test that measures the amount of insulin (a hormone that is responsible for lowering the concentration of glucose in the blood).
Glucose is a sugar that comes from food and is the main source of energy. Our body breaks down the foods we eat into glucose and other nutrients, which are then released into the bloodstream by being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Blood glucose levels rise after eating, which causes the brain to send a signal to the pancreas. As a result, the active production of insulin is stimulated, which subsequently enters the bloodstream. Insulin works like a key that opens the door to cells and allows glucose to enter. Without insulin, the substance cannot enter the cells and remains in the bloodstream.
For good health, the body must maintain a balance of insulin and glucose. With too little insulin, blood sugar levels rise above normal (a condition known as hyperglycemia) and the cells cannot get the energy they need.
With too much insulin, blood sugar drops (hypoglycemia), causing symptoms such as sweating, trembling, and in extreme cases, shock. The most common cause of abnormal fluctuations in blood sugar levels is diabetes.
Indications for an insulin blood test
This test is often used to evaluate the cause of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or any other condition associated with abnormal insulin production. The procedure is often used to diagnose and monitor insulin resistance, a condition in which tissues become less sensitive to its effects, while compensating for the pancreas to produce more insulin.
Insulin resistance is common in obese people, and can contribute to the development of type XNUMX diabetes, as well as polycystic ovary syndrome in women.
Insulin levels are very low despite the presence of high blood sugar levels in children with type XNUMX diabetes. Classic diabetic symptoms may include extreme thirst or hunger even after eating, frequent or increased urination, tingling in the arms or legs, and feeling very tired.
If the patient does not have obvious symptoms, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes are usually detected by a blood chemistry test. Diabetes testing should begin around the age of 40, along with routine tests for cholesterol levels and other markers of health. Ideally, the patient can be tested at the annual check-up.
Testing at a younger age may be recommended if the patient:
- has low “good cholesterol” (HDL) or high triglycerides;
- overweight and obesity;
- has relatives with diabetes;
- has high blood pressure;
- has signs of insulin resistance;
- gestational diabetes (a temporary condition in which diabetes develops only during pregnancy) was observed.
Even if the test results are normal, it is recommended to take repeated tests every year. Children and young people between the ages of 10 and 18 can also benefit from screening if they are overweight or have other risk factors listed.
Preparation for a blood test for insulin and the algorithm for its implementation
A blood test for insulin is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Other options for passing the analysis are negotiated individually with the doctor.
The laboratory assistant takes venous blood using a disposable syringe. The puncture site is treated with an antiseptic. A tight bandage is placed above the vein.
After the vein is clearly visualized, the laboratory technician punctures the vein and draws the required amount of blood.
After the procedure, the tourniquet is loosened, the needle is removed, and an antiseptic pressure bandage is applied to the puncture area (it is recommended to keep the arm bent at the elbow for at least five minutes, so that a hematoma does not form). The blood collection for this test will only take a few minutes.
Results and risks of the analysis
Blood sampling is a completely safe procedure that causes slight discomfort. The blood sample will be processed by a special machine. Results are usually available the next day.
The insulin test is considered a harmless manipulation, however, some problems may arise when taking blood. These include: fainting or feeling dizzy; hematoma (blood collected under the skin can cause an abscess); pain associated with multiple injections in search of a vein. It is important to remember that the analysis must be taken in trusted clinics, and only sterile gloves and a disposable syringe should be used for the procedure.
If the patient is pre-diabetic, there is an option to prevent the disease. To do this, you need to choose a balanced diet (it is recommended to contact an experienced endocrinologist and nutritionist), as well as regularly monitor the level of glucose and insulin in the blood. Overweight patients are advised to go on a diet and lose at least seven percent of their weight.
Proper lifestyle, outdoor activities, sports activities, proper nutrition – all this will help to balance the level of insulin and glucose.
It is important to remember that a diagnosis of insulin resistance or prediabetes is a serious warning. Any patient with timely and proper treatment, as well as a change in lifestyle in the right direction, can get rid of the disease and fully establish the work of the whole organism.