A person can suffer from Insulin resistance for years without knowing because this condition usually doesn't cause obvious symptoms, so it's important for both the person and the doctor to regularly check blood glucose levels regularly.
Having insulin resistance raises the risk of diabetes, and also increases the risk of many other conditions including:-
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weight gain or Obesity.
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Increased triglycerides in the blood.
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Developing high blood pressure.
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Getting severe depression.
In this article, we will learn about what insulin resistance is, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, which is part of the digestive system. This hormone helps blood glucose enter muscle, fat, and liver cells where it is used for energy.
Glucose comes from the food you eat. The liver can also release it in certain cases like fasting. When blood glucose (blood sugar) levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin into the blood. Insulin then lowers blood glucose to keep it in normal range.
Insulin resistance happens when muscle, fat, and liver cells don't respond well to insulin and can't easily take glucose from the blood. Because of this, the pancreas makes more insulin to help glucose enter the cells.
Also, when blood glucose levels rise and cells can't respond to insulin or absorb glucose, it can lead to prediabetes, and over time may develop into type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of insulin resistance
Usually insulin resistance has no clear symptoms, but some people may get a skin condition called acanthosis nigricans, which looks like dark velvet patches often on the back of the neck, thighs, and armpits.
Other symptoms of insulin resistance can include:-
- Excessive thirst.
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Frequent urge to urinate.
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Blurred vision.
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Unusual tiredness.
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Blackheads.
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Skin tags.
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Increased craving for sweets and sugar.
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Excessive hair growth in women.
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Hair loss in men.
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Weight gain, especially around the waist.
Also, it's important to regularly check blood sugar levels, but if the condition is advanced and the person already has diabetes, There may be some symptoms, including:-
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Extreme thirst.
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Feeling hungry even after meals.
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Increased urination frequency.
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Tingling feeling in hands or feet.
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Frequent infections.
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Feeling more tired than usual.
These can actually look like the same symptoms as insulin resistance.
Causes of Insulin Resistance
The real causes behind insulin resistance or diabetes aren't fully known. But being overweight and inactive lifestyles are thought to be the main reasons.
Studies show that being overweight or obese, especially around the waist and organs (called visceral fat), is the top cause of insulin resistance. Waist measurements around 100 or more for men, and about 89 or more for women, are linked to insulin resistance.
Also, studies found belly fat can make hormones and other substances that might cause long-term inflammation in the body. This inflammation may play a big role in insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases.
Plus, an inactive lifestyle or not enough exercise is linked to insulin resistance and diabetes. Regular activity causes changes in the body that help keep blood sugar levels balanced.
How to Diagnose Insulin Resistance
Doctors usually don't do tests specifically for insulin resistance except in research. Instead, they use blood tests to see if someone's blood sugar is high, which suggests insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes.
These tests include:-
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A1C Test
This test measures the average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months, The results can be as follows:-
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When A1C is below 5.7%, it is considered normal.
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When A1C is between 5.7 - 6.4%, it indicates prediabetes.
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When A1C is 6.5% or higher, it indicates diabetes.
Depending on the lab, these numbers might vary by 0.1-0.2%.
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Choosing fasting blood glucose level
A fasting blood glucose test shows blood sugar levels while fasting. This test is done after not eating or drinking for at least 8 hours. The results can be as follows:-
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Glucose levels below 100 mg/dL indicate normal blood sugar levels.
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Glucose levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL point to prediabetes.
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Glucose levels of 126 mg/dL or higher indicate a diabetes diagnosis.
Depending on the lab, these numbers can vary by up to 3 mg/dL.
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Glucose tolerance test
The two-hour glucose tolerance test can be another way to diagnose prediabetes. Blood glucose is checked before starting the test, then the person drinks a measured sugary drink, and blood glucose is checked again after two hours.The results can be as follows:-
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Blood glucose under 140 mg/dL after two hours is considered normal.
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Blood glucose between 140-199 mg/dL after two hours is considered prediabetes.
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Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or more after two hours is a diabetes diagnosis.
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Random blood glucose test
Random blood glucose tests can be useful especially if someone has big diabetes symptoms, but the American Diabetes Association doesn’t recommend random blood glucose tests for routine diabetes screening or prediabetes detection.
Risk factors for insulin resistance
Diabetes screening should start around age 40, along with usual cholesterol and other health checks. Ideally, the doctor will order tests during yearly checkups or screenings.
A doctor might suggest doing the test earlier if the person has any of these risk factors:-
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A lazy or inactive lifestyle.
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Low levels of good cholesterol HDL.
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High levels of triglycerides.
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Family history of diabetes.
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High blood pressure 140/90 mm Hg or higher.
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Having prediabetes symptoms.
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Being diagnosed with gestational diabetes.
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Previous stroke.
Kids and teens aged 10-18 might benefit from diabetes screening if they're overweight or obese and have two or more risk factors mentioned above.
Treatment of insulin resistance
Insulin resistance treatment mainly focuses on lifestyle changes like reaching a healthy weight and regular physical activity.
But sometimes, a doctor might prescribe medicine like metformin. It helps lower blood sugar by cutting how much glucose the intestines absorb and how much the liver makes.
Preventing insulin resistance progression
If someone has insulin resistance or prediabetes, they can reduce the risk of getting diabetes by adopting healthy lifestyle habits.
Healthy behaviors can include:-
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Try to make exercise a daily habit, ideally doing it at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
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Eat a diet rich in nutrients and as balanced as possible.
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If you're overweight or obese, aim to reach a healthy weight. Losing just 7% of your weight can help lower diabetes risk.
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Quit smoking.
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Treat sleep problems like sleep apnea.
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Manage stress by doing deep breathing or yoga.
