Insulin Resistance

Insulin Resistance is a pathological condition in which cells fail to respond normally to the hormone Insulin. When the body produces insulin under conditions of insulin resistance, the cells are resistant to the insulin and are unable to use it as effectively, leading to high blood sugar. Beta cells in the pancreas subsequently increase their production of insulin, further contributing to a high blood insulin level. This often remains undetected and can contribute to the development of Type 2 Diabetes or Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adults.

Causes

There are many causes of insulin resistance, including genetics, stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, pregnancy, infection or severe illness, steroid use, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle. Certain ethnicities are more susceptible to insulin resistance, including people of Asian, African, and Hispanic descent.

Symptoms

Symptoms of insulin resistance can include fatigue, hunger, brain fog, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and weight gain. If left untreated, insulin resistance can lead to Type 2 Diabetes and prediabetes.

Diagnosis

Insulin resistance is often diagnosed through a fasting blood glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, or with an HbA1c test. These tests show how well your body uses insulin.

Treatment

Treatment for insulin resistance includes lifestyle changes, medication, and weight loss. Medications such as metformin and thiazolidinediones can help. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can also improve insulin resistance.

See Also

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Obesity
• Prediabetes

References

Insulin Resistance Resources
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