I recently had a blood fasting insulin test done. My levels read about 25. Of course, they are within normal levels. (every hormone I have is within normal levels, i just feel like crap normally), Does any one know if this can be even borderline insulin resistant. I can hardly function the day after a carb dinner. I need answers and no one seems to have any.
who gave you the fasting test? i keep trying to get to the bottom of my insuline thing. i think i am insuline resistant but my levels too came in within normal range. i just don't buy it because i too feel like complete and utter crap.
My family doctor ordered the tests. I had been seeing another doctor for about three years because of insurance problems. This other dr. just about killed me. Kept reading all of my test results wrong. I still have not been UJI formally diagnosed as having pcos, however, I have almost all of the symptoms. Finally went back to my old family dr. and she has helped more than any others have, I think I'll stick with her. at least she's trying and willing to listening to what I think it might be. She is also my a good friend outside of the office.
I am not sure if this will help you or confuse you but I have a friend who swears she is insulin challenged...maybe another cyster will know what she is talking about. (I have type II myself)
She says that under certain circumstances her levels go haywire. I know that her doctor ordered tests and that is what she said she has. But normally her tests come back within normal ranges. I don't doubt her because she has the same kinda symptoms you mentioned...I always have to go and have the test done that takes hours and hours...not just the bloodwork in the morning...what kind of fasting test did you have?
I had the one where you fast from midnight and then they drew blood, made me drink some kinda sweet orange stuff, and an hour later they drew blood again. Never heard of insulin challenged, however, I do know that something is going on when I eat carbs that didn't use to happen.
From what I have read, over 7 is considered to be slightly insulin resistant. A level over 10 is considered insulin resistant. My Dr treats at levels over 20. I was 22 and put on met.
Also, according to may Dr's you can be insulin resistant and still have normal insulin levels.
I am a NC girl too. If a Dr in the Greensboro area would be helpful, let me know!
Originally posted by flashing I recently had a blood fasting insulin test done. My levels read about 25. Of course, they are within normal levels. (every hormone I have is within normal levels, i just feel like crap normally), Does any one know if this can be even borderline insulin resistant. I can hardly function the day after a carb dinner. I need answers and no one seems to have any.
According to this site, and depending on the measurement (is it also mIU/ml?) you are seriously insulin resistant. Normal fasting insulin is under 10. In my experience there is a lot of doctors who are not very knowledgable about this, it will be worth it to you to seek another opinion with a number of 25. You should also ask for a Glucose Tolerance Test with insulin values in addition to glucose values and compare them to the above normal values.
Hi
My reproductive endocrinologist had said to me that fasting insulin levels almost always test "witin the normal range" (my least favorite phrase in the english language). He said that in fact what he primarily uses to diagnose insulin resistance is the ratio of fasting glucose to fasting insulin. In other words how much insulin do you have floating around in your blood versus how much sugar is floating around. If the ratio of one to the other is too high than you are insulin resistant. I think I read somewhere (I might remember incorrectly) that any ratio lower than 4.5 is insulin resistant and that any ratio lower than a 4 is suspicious of insulin resistance. Hopefully when they drew the fasting insulin thay also drew a fasting glucose and you can determine what your ratio is from that draw. Otherwise you will likely need both done at the same time for accuracy sake. I hope this helps everyone.
Denise/ NC
insulin levels 
