Today we will be discussing insulin resistance, and specifically how to find out you’re resistant and how to prevent it from causing further complications!
Signs of Insulin Resistance
You could be insulin resistant for years without knowing it. This condition typically doesn’t trigger any noticeable symptoms. So, it’s important your doctor regularly checks your blood glucose levels.
Insulin resistance increases the risk of:
being overweight
being diabetic
having high triglycerides
having elevated blood pressure
If you don’t have obvious symptoms, you doctor can usually detect insulin resistance, prediabetes, or diabetes with a blood draw.
A1C testOne way to diagnose prediabetes or diabetes is with an A1C test. This test measures your average blood sugar over the previous two to three months.
An A1C under 5.7 percent is considered normal.
An A1C between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is diagnostic for prediabetes.
An A1C equal to or above 6.5 percent is diagnostic for diabetes.
Your doctor may want to reconfirm the test results later. However, depending on the lab where you have your blood drawn, these numbers could vary by 0.1 to 0.2 percent.
Fasting blood glucose testA fasting blood glucose test will show your fasting blood sugar level. You’d have this test done after not eating or drinking for at least eight hours.
A high level may require a second test a few days later to confirm the reading. If both tests show elevated levels of blood glucose, your doctor may diagnose you with prediabetes or diabetes.
Fasting blood sugar levels under 100 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL) are considered normal.
Levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL indicate prediabetes.
Levels equal to or greater than 126 mg/dL are diagnostic for diabetes.
A two-hour glucose tolerance test may be another way to diagnose prediabetes or diabetes. Your blood glucose level will be determined before this test begins. You’ll then receive a premeasured sugary drink and your blood glucose level is checked again in two hours.
A blood sugar level after two hours of less than 140 mg/dL is considered normal.
A result between 140 mg/dL and 199 mg/dL is considered prediabetes.
A blood sugar level of 200mg/dL or higher is considered diabetes.
Testing for diabetes should begin at about age 40, along with the usual tests for cholesterol and other markers of health. Ideally, your doctor will test you at your annual physical exam or preventive screening.
Your doctor may recommend testing at a younger age if you:
have a sedentary lifestyle
have a low good cholesterol (HDL) level or high triglyceride levels
have a parent or sibling with diabetes
are American Indian, African-American, Latino, Asian-American, or Pacific Islander
have high blood pressure
have symptoms of insulin resistance
were diagnosed with gestational diabetes
had a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
have had a stroke
Children and teens ages 10 to 18 may also benefit from diabetes screening if they are overweight and have two or more of the above risk factors for diabetes.
The effects of insulin resistance Classic diabetes symptoms include:extreme thirst or hunger
feeling hungry even after a meal
increased or frequent urination
tingling sensations in hands or feet
feeling more tired than usual
frequent infections
evidence in blood work
If you have prediabetes, you may prevent diabetes by exercising 30 minutes at least five days a week and eating a balanced diet. Losing weight, even just 7 percent of your body weight, can lower your risk of developing diabetes!
Making good lifestyle choices is the best way to get your blood glucose levels in the desired range.
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