We stand behind our service
Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
With friendly doctor's notes & guidance
Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
We stand behind our service
Go directly to the lab, no extra fees
With friendly doctor's notes & guidance
Lab visit as quick as 10 mins in & out
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.
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.
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 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.
Recommended actions
Focus on low-glycemic foods like whole grains, vegetables, and legumes to reduce insulin demands
Incorporate regular physical activity, especially resistance training, to improve insulin sensitivity
Reduce refined carbohydrates and added sugars in your diet
Consider retesting in 3-6 months along with fasting glucose to monitor trends