Insulin (fingerstick)

What is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. It helps the body's cells to absorb glucose (sugar) from the blood and use it for energy or store it for future use.

Why test Insulin?

Testing insulin levels can be useful for assessing how well your body regulates glucose. This is especially important for people with diabetes or prediabetes, but also for those who want to monitor their metabolic health. It can assist in diagnosing various conditions, including insulin resistance and type 1 or 2 diabetes.

What does it indicate?

The insulin test can indicate whether your body produces an adequate amount of insulin and how it responds to glucose. It can assist in determining insulin resistance, a precursor to type 2 diabetes, or insulin production problems, such as those found in type 1 diabetes.

What does a high insulin level mean?

A high insulin level may indicate insulin resistance, where your body cells do not respond well to insulin. This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. It may also be an indication of an insulinoma, a rare tumor of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

What does a low insulin level mean?

A low insulin level may indicate reduced insulin production by the pancreas, which is characteristic of type 1 diabetes. It can also occur in long-term type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas becomes exhausted.