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Free insulin test for blood sugar control and insulin resistance assessment

Blood Test for Insulin Activity and Sugar Control

Insulin, Free (Bioactive)

Google
3,138 reviews
  • Checks active insulin levels in blood
  • Measures insulin affecting sugar control
  • Assesses body's insulin activity status
First results as soon as overnight*

90 day happiness guarantee

We stand behind our service

Prescription & fees included

Go directly to the lab, no extra fees

Easy to understand results

With friendly doctor's notes & guidance

Fast & convenient

Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out

90 day happiness guarantee

We stand behind our service

Prescription & fees included

Go directly to the lab, no extra fees

Easy to understand results

With friendly doctor's notes & guidance

Fast & convenient

Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out

What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're managing diabetes with insulin injections and want to understand how your body is responding to treatment. It's particularly helpful if you have insulin antibodies that may interfere with standard insulin tests, providing a clearer picture of your actual active insulin levels. People use this test to better understand their blood sugar control and adjust their diabetes management accordingly.

How should I prepare for this test?

You'll need to fast overnight before this test, which means no food or drinks except water for at least 8-12 hours before your blood draw. This fasting period ensures accurate measurement of your baseline insulin levels without interference from recent meals. Be sure to continue taking your prescribed medications unless your doctor advises otherwise, and schedule your test for early morning when possible.

What's included in this test?

Insulin, Free (Bioactive)

This test measures free (bioactive) insulin, which is the portion of insulin in your blood that's actually available to help control your blood sugar. Unlike standard insulin tests, this measurement filters out insulin that's bound to antibodies, giving you a more accurate picture of your body's true insulin activity. This is especially valuable for people on insulin therapy who may have developed antibodies that interfere with regular insulin testing.

What happens after I get my results?
You'll receive detailed doctor notes in simple language explaining what your free insulin levels mean for your blood sugar control and diabetes management. These notes include personalized recommendations like dietary adjustments, timing of insulin doses, or whether you should discuss treatment changes with your endocrinologist. You'll also get the standard lab report and can track your insulin levels over time using our trends feature to see how your management strategies are working.
Who should consider getting this test?
This test is specifically designed for people with diabetes who are taking insulin injections and have developed insulin antibodies. If you're experiencing unpredictable blood sugar levels despite careful insulin dosing, or if standard insulin tests don't seem to match your symptoms, this test can provide clearer answers. It's also useful for anyone whose doctor suspects insulin antibodies are interfering with diabetes management.
What symptoms indicate I may need this test?
You may need this test if you're on insulin therapy but experiencing unexplained high or low blood sugar episodes that don't match your insulin doses. Other signs include difficulty achieving stable blood sugar control, inconsistent responses to the same insulin dose, or if your standard insulin test results don't align with your symptoms. This is particularly relevant if you've been on insulin therapy for an extended period.
What is free insulin and why does it matter?
Free insulin is the biologically active form of insulin that's not bound to antibodies in your blood. When you take insulin injections, your body may develop antibodies that attach to the insulin, making it temporarily unavailable to control blood sugar. Free insulin testing specifically measures only the insulin that's actually working in your body, giving you and your doctor a more accurate picture of your true insulin activity for better diabetes management.
How can I naturally support healthy insulin function?
Supporting healthy insulin function involves eating balanced meals with complex carbohydrates, lean proteins, and healthy fats to avoid blood sugar spikes. Regular physical activity, especially after meals, helps your body use insulin more effectively. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight all contribute to better insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control.
What does high free insulin mean?
High free insulin levels may indicate insulin resistance, where your body needs more insulin than normal to control blood sugar effectively. This can be a sign of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome. For people on insulin therapy, elevated levels might suggest you're taking more insulin than your body needs, which could increase the risk of low blood sugar episodes.
How often should I retest my free insulin levels?
If you're being monitored for insulin antibodies or adjusting your diabetes treatment, your doctor may recommend retesting every 3-6 months to track how your body is responding. Once your insulin therapy is stable and working well, annual testing may be sufficient. If you're experiencing changes in blood sugar control or starting new medications, more frequent testing might be needed to ensure optimal management.
How’s this work?
Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:
  1. In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
  2. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
  3. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
  4. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
  5. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
  6. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
  7. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!
  8. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.
How do I know which test to get?
In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option.

Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at [email protected], and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.
Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?
Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you.

Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at [email protected]. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you.

There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out.

Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.
Do you accept health insurance?
Only HSA & FSA is accepted.

Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts.

This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].
Can I cancel my order?
Yes.

We get it – sometimes your needs change.

As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order.

If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected].

You can read more about our cancellation policy here.
How can I find a lab location near me?
During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp).

Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym.

If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email [email protected] and we'll gladly help you.

Here’s why 1,000,000+ customers chose us for affordable hassle-free private blood testing.

You get clinical lab reports & simplified health insights.
Save time & gas, go straight to the lab. Our doctors cover the rest.
Results start landing the next day after your lab visit.*
We don’t sell or share your data. Your time & privacy matter.
US-licensed doctors have your back if things get unclear.
No hidden fees, nice discounts for regular checkups.
Save a trip to the doctor, go directly to the lab
Instant orders, results often overnight*
Results explained in simple language
Reviewed by US licensed doctors
Fast & confidential, we never sell or share your data
No insurance needed, transparent pricing
Demo results
Insulin, Free (Bioactive) 18.5 µIU/mL
Demo results
Low Optimal 2.6 - 13.0 High
18.5 µIU/mL

What this means

Your free insulin levels are elevated above the optimal range, which may indicate insulin resistance or that your body is producing more insulin to maintain blood sugar control. While this doesn't necessarily mean you have diabetes, it suggests your cells may not be responding to insulin as efficiently as they should, which can increase your risk for metabolic issues over time.

* Regular blood test results (e.g., CBC) typically start arriving the next business day after sample collection. More complex tests, such as hormone panels, may take up to 10–15 business days due to their complexity.
Here’s how easy it is to get blood work done on your terms
Choose a checkup
Order your test Save a trip to the doctor. Your results will come with clear, friendly explanations. Takes 2 minutes
Book a lab
Book an appointment Visit any of our 4,000 nearby lab locations to have your samples collected. Book or walk-in
Choose a checkup
Get results Receive a clear, easy-to-digest health report by email & SMS within a few business days. Get answers, fast

Blood Test for Insulin Activity and Sugar Control

Google
3,138 reviews
  • Checks active insulin levels in blood
  • Measures insulin affecting sugar control
  • Assesses body's insulin activity status

1,000,000+ blood tests later, here's what our customers say

Google reviews 3138 reviews Next
Still got questions? Text our super-cool support team at 754-799-7833 to get help finding your ideal checkup.