Struggling to lose weight despite eating well and exercising? Insulin resistance might be the hidden culprit. This metabolic condition often goes undetected for years while silently affecting your health.
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance occurs when your cells stop responding efficiently to insulin, the hormone that helps glucose enter your cells for energy. Your pancreas compensates by producing more insulin, leading to high insulin levels that promote fat storage.
Signs of Insulin Resistance
- Weight gain, especially around the midsection
- Difficulty losing weight
- Fatigue after meals
- Sugar and carb cravings
- Brain fog
- Skin tags
- Dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans)
- High blood pressure
Tests for Insulin Resistance
Fasting Insulin
The most sensitive early marker. Optimal is <8 mIU/L, though labs may list up to 25 as "normal."
Fasting Glucose
Should be 70-90 mg/dL for optimal metabolic health.
HbA1c
Your 3-month blood sugar average. Optimal is below 5.4%.
HOMA-IR
Calculated from fasting glucose and insulin. A value >2.0 suggests insulin resistance.
Why Standard Tests Miss It
Standard diabetes screening only tests fasting glucose - which can remain normal for years while insulin levels silently climb. By the time glucose rises, you may already have significant insulin resistance.
References
- Reaven, G. M. (1988). Role of insulin resistance in human disease. Diabetes, 37(12), 1595-1607.
- DeFronzo, R. A., & Abdul-Ghani, M. (2011). Assessment and treatment of cardiovascular risk in prediabetes: impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose. American Journal of Cardiology, 108(3 Suppl), 13B-24B.
- Petersen, M. C., & Shulman, G. I. (2018). Mechanisms of insulin action and insulin resistance. Physiological Reviews, 98(4), 2133-2223.
