Are You Insulin Resistant?
Many people have insulin resistance without realizing it because symptoms can be subtle or easily dismissed. The best way to know for sure is through lab testing or continuous glucose monitoring. Understanding how your body responds to food with insulin can help you make targeted changes to improve your metabolic health before more serious conditions develop.
If you suspect you may have insulin resistance, there are several ways to check your metabolic health:
Fasting Blood Sugar & Fasting Insulin Tests: Your doctor can measure your fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels to assess your insulin sensitivity. High fasting insulin levels with normal or slightly elevated blood sugar can indicate early insulin resistance.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): Devices like Stelo or Lingo provide real-time blood sugar readings, helping you see how your body reacts to different foods and meals. Significant blood sugar spikes after eating may suggest insulin resistance.
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT): This test measures how your body processes sugar over time. After drinking a glucose solution, your blood sugar levels are tested at intervals to assess your insulin response.
Hemoglobin A1c Test: While typically used to diagnose diabetes, an elevated A1c level may suggest ongoing blood sugar dysregulation associated with insulin resistance.
Understanding how your body responds to food and insulin is a crucial step in preventing long-term complications. If you suspect insulin resistance, working with a doctor to develop a plan for testing and lifestyle changes can be key to optimizing your metabolic health.
