Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. It is caused by the cells' reduced ability to respond to insulin signals, forcing the pancreas to produce excess insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. The Glucose, Serum test combined with Fasting Insulin is the most important diagnostic approach for identifying insulin resistance early.
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Insulin resistance is caused by a combination of genetic factors, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and dietary patterns high in refined carbohydrates and sugars. When you consistently consume high amounts of sugar and carbs, your cells are constantly exposed to insulin, and over time they become less sensitive to its signals. Excess visceral fat around your organs releases inflammatory compounds that further interfere with insulin signaling pathways, creating a cycle where your pancreas must produce more and more insulin to achieve the same blood sugar control.
The Glucose, Serum test combined with the Fasting Insulin test is the most important diagnostic approach for insulin resistance because it reveals both how high your blood sugar runs and how hard your pancreas is working to control it. The Glucose, Serum test detects elevated blood sugar levels that indicate your cells are not responding properly to insulin, while the Fasting Insulin test measures whether your pancreas is overproducing insulin to compensate for cellular resistance. When both tests show abnormal resultsâelevated glucose with high insulin levelsâit provides clear evidence that insulin resistance is present and allows your healthcare provider to intervene before it progresses to type 2 diabetes.
You should get tested if you are overweight or obese, have a family history of type 2 diabetes, lead a sedentary lifestyle, or have been told you have prediabetes. Additionally, you should consider testing if you notice symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue after meals, difficulty losing weight despite diet and exercise, or darkened skin patches on your neck or armpits. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome or a history of gestational diabetes are at particularly high risk and should be screened regularly, as early detection allows for lifestyle interventions that can reverse or slow the condition before it becomes type 2 diabetes.
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What this means
Your fasting glucose level is slightly elevated, falling in the prediabetes range. This means your body is not processing sugar as efficiently as it should, which can contribute to fatigue, increased thirst, and puts you at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes if left unaddressed.
Recommended actions
Reduce refined carbohydrates and sugary foods, focus on whole grains and vegetables
Add 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days, especially after meals
Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep and work on stress management
Retest in 3-6 months to monitor your progress after lifestyle changes
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