Insulin Resistance Test: The Hidden Danger You MUST Check Now

Have you heard the term “insulin resistance” and wondered if you have it?!

Don’t ignore it! Read on if you believe there is a chance you may be insulin resistant and would like to learn how to be proactive and find out if you are! 

Early detection is key to reversing this diagnosis!

Insulin resistance is when the cells of your body do not respond to insulin correctly and can’t absorb the sugar from the blood effectively.

Insulin acts as the vehicle that transports the excess sugar from your bloodstream into the cells to be used for energy.

When your cells become insulin resistant, this mechanism of action does not work effectively, and the sugar in the blood starts to accumulate, which then in turn causes high blood sugar.

This is important to understand because sustained elevated blood sugar can lead to prediabetes and then type two diabetes (if unmanaged) and all of the complications associated with it. 

This includes cardiovascular disease, foot ulcers, neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney disease, and more.

It is extremely important to have early insulin resistance testing done if you are at risk for insulin resistance, as early detection and treatment can reverse this diagnosis.

Who Should Get an Insulin Resistance Test?

If you are aware that you have a family history of insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, and live a sedentary lifestyle, it would be advisable to get an insulin resistance test done.

Below are lists of common symptoms of insulin resistance and risk factors for having it.  

If you experience any of these symptoms in combination with any of the risk factors, it would be in your best interest to request a test to find out if you have insulin resistance.

• List common symptoms of insulin resistance:

  • Fatigue

  • Sugar cravings

  • Weight gain (especially around the abdomen)

  • High fasting blood sugar

  • Skin tags or darkened skin (acanthosis nigricans)

• Discuss risk factors:

  • Family history of diabetes

  • PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

  • Sedentary lifestyle

  • High-carb diet

Early detection is key with insulin resistance because simple lifestyle modifications can be effective in reversing the diagnosis.

Types of Insulin Resistance Tests 

• Fasting Insulin Test

  • This insulin resistance test measures insulin levels in your blood after fasting for 8-12 hours.

  • A moderate level (10 - 20 µU/mL) indicates early insulin resistance often seen in prediabetes, PCOS, and obesity

• HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance)

  • This insulin resistance test calculates insulin resistance using fasting glucose and fasting insulin.

  • A level of >2.0 suggests insulin resistance and is an early warning for metabolic dysfunction.

• Glucose Tolerance Test (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test - OGTT)

  • This test measures how your body handles a glucose load (by drinking a standardized drink) over time.

  • A fasting blood sugar level (drawn for this test) of 100-125 mg/dL indicates impaired insulin resistance

  • A 2 hour post-glucose blood sugar of 140-199 mg/dL also indicates impaired insulin resistance

• Hemoglobin A1C Test

  • The A1C provides long-term blood sugar trends over a span of 2-3 months.

  • An A1C result of >5.7% indicates insulin resistance, but is not the ideal test to detect insulin resistance early on. 

Some of these tests are combined for specific results, as they are more ideal in combination at detecting specific markers.

How to Prepare for an Insulin Resistance Test 

Preparing for any test that is ordered by your doctor requires some pretest requirements. Always ask what these are so that the test can be drawn just once and the most accurate data given.

Here is a general guide to which tests require fasting, dietary recommendations, and which tests are best for detecting insulin resistance. 

Test	Best For	Preparation Needed?
Fasting Glucose	Basic glucose check	✅ Yes (8-12 hr fast)
Fasting Insulin	Detecting early insulin resistance	✅ Yes (8-12 hr fast)
HOMA-IR	Insulin resistance calculation	✅ Yes (8-12 hr fast)
OGTT (Glucose Only)	Prediabetes/Diabetes detection	✅ Yes (8-12 hr fast, 3 days of normal diet)
OGTT + Insulin	Insulin resistance & beta-cell function	✅ Yes (8-12 hr fast, 3 days of normal diet)

How to Reverse Insulin Resistance Naturally 

Oftentimes we go to the doctor and they either want to put us on medication to control something that is outside the perimeter of normal.

If they are not trying to add medication, they are often giving us very basic and broad recommendations for lifestyle changes

Because these recommendations are broad and not thoroughly explained, or a strategy provided for execution, many of us leave confused and unsure what to do next.

This is definitely a common theme within the world of people being diagnosed with insulin resistance and prediabetes.

Amazing as they are, our primary doctors are not given much time with each of their patients, and we therefore are often left on our own to figure out what to do to change the trajectory of our health.

Below are five strategies to reverse insulin resistance:

1. Diet: Low (or preferably - no) highly processed foods, high-fiber and protein-rich foods, and lots of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. A well balanced diet, rich in nutritional value decreases the need for insulin by keeping blood sugar well balanced.   

2. Exercise: Strength training & cardio to improve insulin sensitivity. Having a consistent routine of both strength training and cardio, not only improves insulin sensitivity (combatting insulin resistance), but also helps lower blood sugar quickly. Especially implementing a consistent 15 minute walk following meals. 

3. Stress Management: Stress plays a large part in blood sugar stability. When you are stressed and cortisol is released, this spikes your blood sugar and the need for insulin to be released at a higher rate to counter that. It is important to find and implement stress management techniques that work best for you. 

4. Sleep: Sleep is definitely an aspect that often gets overlooked. It is very important for people to have good quality sleep as poor sleep can lead to a reduction in insulin sensitivity. 

5. Supplements: There are some supplements that have strong evidence that show their benefits in improving insulin sensitivity. Some of these supplements include: Magnesium, Berberine, and Omega-3s.

When to Seek Support 

If you have any of the above symptoms and risk factors, it is important to discuss this with your healthcare team, have an insulin resistance test done, and make a plan if you are diagnosed with insulin resistance.

Being proactive instead of reactive is essential in effectively reversing the diagnosis of insulin resistance.  

If you need support to implement these changes and reverse your diagnosis, reach out today and book your free call!

You will get 1:1 coaching with a very personalized plan that works for your lifestyle and start reversing your insulin resistance today.

Meet the Author

Hi! I’m Beth, a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator. I provide diabetes coaching for newly diagnosed people with diabetes and also work with people who have been living with diabetes for some time.

With 1:1 coaching, you will feel empowered and supported to confidently manage your diabetes effectively - without it controlling your life! I can help you make sure that you feel good, stay in optimal health and take care of your well-being at all times. First call is on me! Let’s talk.