Insulin test

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Insulin is a hormone released from the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin's most important function is to facilitate glucose (blood sugar) uptake by a variety of tissues, especially adipose (fat) and skeletal muscle. Insulin also stimulates the synthesis and storage of triglycerides and proteins. Insulin is the most important regulator of blood glucose. High blood glucose (such as exists shortly after a meal) stimulates the release of insulin, whereas low blood glucose levels inhibit insulin release.

The most important reason for measuring the blood insulin level is the diagnosis or evaluation of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Also, insulin levels measured while fasting can give information about the body's sensitivity to insulin. High insulin, even with normal blood sugar, may indicate that the pancreas is working harder-than-normal to get the blood-sugar level down. This situation is usually caused by the body being resistant to insulin's effect -- a condition called "insulin resistance syndrome" or "metabolic syndrome." It is a very common feature of obesity and of hormonal problems such as polycystic ovary syndrome.

The insulin test may also be combined with other tests, such as glucose, proinsulin, anti-insulin antibodies, and  insulin c-peptide for the work-up of hypoglycemia.

Review Date: 02/27/2006
Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.