Insulin (Fasting) Test
Sample Type
Recommended for
Report
Insulin is a hormone secreted by beta cells of the pancreas and is involved primarily in carbohydrate metabolism and maintaining normal blood glucose levels. High levels of serum insulin can indicate diabetes, while low levels indicate problems with the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) is caused by insulin deficiency and Type 2 diabetes (noninsulin-dependent diabetes) is characterized by insulin resistance.
Price : ₹ 1,080
- Fasting Insulin levels are done to determine if insulin resistance in cells is the cause of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)
- It is done to assess if pancreas is producing adequate amount of Insulin
- Antibodies to insulin form in longstanding diabetes mellitus treated with insulin hence in these patients monitoring insulin levels gives better prognosis
Insulin test measures insulin levels in the blood sample of a fasting patient.
Insulin test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer.
- Normal fasting insulin & glucose level – Normal patient
- High fasting insulin & normal or slightly high glucose – Insulin resistance
- Low fasting insulin & high fasting glucose level – Insufficient insulin production i.e., Diabetes
- Normal or high fasting insulin and low glucose level – Over secretion of insulin e.g., insulinoma, factitious hypoglycaemia, Cushing syndrome
