Why We Test Insulin — And Why It Matters for Your Health

Why We Test Insulin — And Why It Matters for Your Health

At Dr. Anwar’s office, we go beyond surface-level testing to uncover the full story of your health — and insulin plays a key role in that story. That’s why we offer fasting insulin testing as part of our proactive wellness and metabolic evaluations. Whether you're struggling with fatigue, stubborn weight, hormonal imbalances, or just want to stay ahead of chronic disease, checking your insulin levels can offer powerful insight.

What is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas in response to rising blood sugar levels after eating. Its main job is to help move glucose (sugar) from your blood into your cells, where it can be used for energy or stored. But insulin does much more than regulate blood sugar — it also affects how your body stores fat, how your metabolism functions, and how you feel overall.

Even before blood sugar or A1c levels become abnormal, changes in insulin can signal that something is off. That’s why measuring insulin early can help us catch issues like insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction long before they turn into more serious conditions.

Why We Test Fasting Insulin

Fasting insulin testing gives us a clearer look at your metabolic health and how efficiently your body is using energy. Here are some of the most common reasons we check insulin in our practice:

Insulin Resistance & Metabolic Syndrome: Elevated insulin often shows up years before blood sugar problems. It can be one of the first clues your metabolism is under stress.

Unexplained Fatigue or Crashes: Low or high insulin can contribute to energy dips and “crashes” during the day, especially if blood sugar swings are involved.

Weight Gain & Inflammation: High insulin promotes fat storage—particularly around the belly—and can also drive inflammation.

PCOS & Hormonal Imbalances: In women, insulin resistance can lead to excess androgen production, irregular cycles, and fertility challenges.

Heart Health: Chronically high insulin levels are linked with high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and increased cardiovascular risk.

What Your Results May Show

Low Fasting Insulin (<2 µIU/mL): May reflect impaired pancreatic function or very low carbohydrate intake. Often seen in advanced diabetes or adrenal issues.

High Fasting Insulin (>10–15 µIU/mL): Suggests insulin resistance, even if your glucose and A1c are normal. Persistent high insulin can lead to weight gain, fatigue, PCOS, and increased risk for type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Optimal Range: We typically look for a fasting insulin between 3–8 µIU/mL. Anything above 10 can be an early warning sign that the body is working too hard to manage blood sugar.

What We Do With This Information

Fasting insulin is more than just a number — it’s an opportunity for early action. We use it to guide tailored lifestyle and nutrition plans, including:

• Time-restricted eating or intermittent fasting
• Low-glycemic, whole-food diets
• Resistance training and targeted exercise
• Natural supplements like inositol, berberine, and chromium

When combined with other labs such as fasting glucose, Hemoglobin A1c, C-peptide, and HOMA-IR, we get a full picture of your metabolic landscape and can create a personalized plan to help you feel better and prevent disease before it starts.

We Offer Insulin Testing Through Our Office

We offer fasting insulin testing through our partnered labs, and we’ll guide you through the process from start to finish. If you’re interested, we can order the test for you, explain how to prepare, and go over the results together once they’re in.

It’s part of our commitment to giving you a deeper, more personalized look at your health — beyond standard labs.

Ready to take control of your metabolic health?

Call or text us at ?? 916-953-3248 to schedule your lab appointment or wellness consultation.