Fasting Insulin

Test description

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that enables the transport of glucose from the blood to muscle cells, the liver, and adipose tissue. When cells lose their sensitivity to its action, the pancreas compensates by increasing production – insulin levels rise long before glucose levels do. Therefore, fasting insulin is an early marker of metabolic disorders, detecting a problem even several years before a diabetes diagnosis. Insulin resistance promotes the accumulation of fat tissue around the abdomen, makes weight reduction difficult despite dieting, causes drowsiness after meals, cravings for sweets, energy fluctuations, and in women, coexists with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovulation disorders. It is also one of the pillars of metabolic syndrome and fatty liver disease. By comparing fasting insulin with fasting glucose, we calculate the HOMA-IR index, which objectively determines the degree of insulin resistance. The result allows for conscious planning of diet, physical activity, and potential treatment, and for measuring real progress in subsequent check-ups.

Biomarkers measured