Insulin resistance means your body responds less well to insulin, which can gradually unsettle your blood sugar. It often develops years before type 2 diabetes, usually without clear symptoms. Blood values like HbA1c and HOMA-IR can say something about it early.
The silent nature is exactly the problem. You notice it late, while there's something to see early.
What are the early signals?
Common signals are increasing belly fat, tiredness after eating, more thirst and sometimes a stubborn weight around your waist. None of these signals proves anything, but together they can be a reason to look.
Belly fat and insulin resistance often reinforce each other. See belly fat and your hormones.
Which blood values fit?
HbA1c gives your average blood sugar over the past weeks. HOMA-IR combines fasting glucose and insulin into an estimate of sensitivity. Discuss an abnormal value with your GP, who assesses the whole.
What can you do with it?
Insulin resistance can be influenced in many cases, and knowing early gives you more room. What fits you is decided together with your GP. See also the pillar cholesterol in men.
Getting started
The Metabolic Health Check maps markers around your blood sugar. For diabetes markers there's the Diabetes panel.
References
- NHG-Standaard Diabetes mellitus type 2 (biology and course). Dutch College of General Practitioners.
- Dutch Diabetes Foundation (Diabetes Fonds). Insulin resistance and prediabetes: background.
- RIVM (National Institute for Public Health). Overweight and metabolic health in the Netherlands.
Disclaimer
Caliberhealth works with BIG-registered doctors who assess your blood results. This article gives general information and is not a substitute for medical advice from a GP or specialist. A blood test is a tool, not a diagnosis in itself. For serious symptoms, contact your GP, or in an emergency call 112.
الكاتب