Insulin Test
2,100 Kshs | Home Collection Available
Synonyms
Insulin, diabetes, Immunoreactive Insulin
Purpose
An insulin test measures the amount of insulin in your blood and helps diagnose insulin resistance, monitor insulin production, and manage diabetes. To perform the test, they collect a blood sample, usually after fasting. In some cases, the test is done after eating or during a glucose tolerance test.
Doctors may order it alongside other tests, such as fasting blood glucose, C-peptide, and HbA1c, for a more complete picture of blood sugar and insulin function.
Patient Preparation
The patient should be fasting at the time of collection.
Samples
1 ml of serum collected in a red top tube or gel barrier tube. Transfer separated serum to a plastic transport tube if a red top tube is used. Hemolytic samples and citrated plasma samples should not be accepted. Store the sample at room temperature.
Test Method
Chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA)
Reference Range
2.6−24.9 μIU/mL
Results Turnaround
Within 24 hours of receipt of samples.
Diseases / Diagnostic indicators
Insulin test is useful for the diagnosis and detection of insulin resistance, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), and insulinoma (a rare tumor that causes excessive insulin production). The test also measures endogenous insulin and helps to determine when a type 2 diabetic might need to start taking insulin to supplement oral medications. The test is also useful in monitoring the success of an islet cell transplant.
High insulin levels may suggest insulin resistance, which is common in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome. They can also indicate the presence of insulinoma or other tumors that affect insulin secretion. In patients who are already on insulin therapy, elevated insulin levels might result from excessive insulin administration.
On the other hand, low insulin levels may point to type 1 diabetes or advanced type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin. They may also indicate hormonal disorders such as hypopituitarism, or failure of insulin production after an islet cell transplant. For further reading, visit this study.