Struggling to lose weight despite eating well and exercising? Insulin resistance may be the hidden culprit. This metabolic condition can go 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 may compensate by producing more insulin, which can lead to high insulin levels that can promote fat storage.
Signs That May Point to 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
This may be an early marker. Optimal may be <8 mIU/L, though labs may list up to 25 as "normal."
Fasting Glucose
May be 70-90 mg/dL for optimal metabolic health.
HbA1c
Your 3-month blood sugar average. Optimal may be below 5.4%.
HOMA-IR
Calculated from fasting glucose and insulin. A value >2.0 may suggest insulin resistance.
Why Standard Tests Can Miss It
Standard diabetes screening tests blood sugar, such as fasting glucose or HbA1c - which can remain normal for years while insulin levels can 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. PMID 3056758
- 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), 3B-24B. PMID 21802577
- Petersen, M. C., & Shulman, G. I. (2018). Mechanisms of insulin action and insulin resistance. Physiological Reviews, 98(4), 2133-2223. PMID 30067154
