Ever wondered why the word “insulin resistance” keeps popping up when speaking about prediabetes?
It’s not just medical jargon; it’s a hidden issue that affects millions and often flies under the radar and can silently impact your health for years.
So, what is insulin resistance, and why does it matter?
Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas. Its job is to help move sugar (glucose) from the food that you eat, into your cells, where it’s used for energy. You can think of insulin as a “key” that unlocks your cells to let sugar in. When everything is working well, your blood sugar remains within a health range, and your cells get the energy that they need.
Insulin resistance happens when your body’s muscle, fat, and liver cells become less responsive to insulin. The “key” (insulin) no longer works efficiently. To make up for this, the pancreas has to produce more insulin to get the same job done. Over time, this can wear out the pancreas and lead to higher blood sugar levels.
Insulin resistance can quietly raise your risk of serious health problems, from Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease to weight gain and fatty liver.
You might not feel anything at first, but insulin resistance is contributing to a range of health issues:
- Pre-Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
As your cells become more resistant to insulin, your blood sugar rises. This can lead to pre-diabetes and eventually, Type 2 Diabetes, if not addressed. Symptoms can include fatigue, blurred vision, increased thirst and frequent urination, although most people don’t notice anything until it has progressed to much higher blood sugar levels.
- Heart health risks
Insulin resistance increases the risk of heart disease as it is often tied to other metabolic red flags like:
- High blood pressure
- Unhealthy cholesterol levels
- Higher waist circumference – High insulin levels make it harder to burn fat and easier to store fat, especially around the midsection.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in women
In women, insulin resistance is a key factor in PCOS, which can cause irregular periods, acne and fertility issues.
Signs and Symptoms of Insulin Resistance Can Include:
- Weight gain or trouble losing weight, particularly around the midsection
- Dark patches of skin (called Acanthosis Nigricans), usually around the neck or underarms
- Skin tags, usually around the neck or underarms
- Increased hunger, fatigue or cravings for sugary/ starchy foods
- High blood pressure
- Menstrual irregularities due to PCOS in women
Risk Factors:
Several factors can contribute to insulin resistance, including:
- Diets high in sugar and processed carbohydrates
- Excess body fat (especially around the abdomen or around your organs – visceral fat).
- Low levels of physical activity
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep
- Genetics like a parent or sibling with Type 2 Diabetes
- Medications like steroids can cause insulin resistance
- Hormonal disorders like Cushing’s Syndrome (due to excess cortisol in the body), or acromegaly (high levels of growth hormone).
If you are concerned about insulin resistance, talk to your doctor they can run simple tests to help guide you towards the right steps to take.
Available Tests:
To evaluate insulin resistance, your doctor may recommend the following blood tests:
- Fasting Glucose Test: Measures your blood sugar after not eating for 8-10 hours to screen for prediabetes or diabetes.
- A1C Test: Shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months.
- Lipid Panel: Checks your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which are often linked to insulin resistance
- Fasting Insulin Levels: This is usually done with the Fasting Glucose Test to evaluate for elevated fasting insulin levels.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood sugar levels before and after consuming a sugary drink to assess how well the body processes glucose.
Treatment Options
The good news is that you can turn it around! With the right changes, insulin resistance can often be improved. Here’s how:
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity improves how your muscles use glucose, reducing the strain on insulin production.
- Eat a balanced diet: Focus on whole foods, fibre, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit sugar, processed carbs, and trans fats to stabilise blood sugar.
- Prioritise adequate sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night.
- Manage stress: Chronic stress affects your hormones and blood sugar. Try deep breathing exercises, meditation or hobbies that help you relax.
- Weight management: For people who are overweight, even a small amount of weight loss e.g. 5-10% weight loss can make a big difference in improving insulin sensitivity.
- In some cases, medications like Metformin may be prescribed to lower glucose production and boost insulin sensitivity, especially if lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough.
- Addressing obesity is an important aspect of treating insulin resistance. As such, medications that help with weight loss can sometimes be prescribed. These include GLP-1 or GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists
Long-term Management of Insulin Resistance
Sustaining healthy habits is essential for managing insulin resistance in the long run. This includes maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress levels, and getting quality sleep. Each of which plays a role in improving how your body responds to insulin.
Routine health check-ups and blood sugar monitoring also help track progress and catch early signs of change. Alongside regular physical activities and balanced meals, these strategies can support glucose control and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Making early lifestyle adjustment can go a long way in enhancing insulin sensitivity and preventing long-term complications.
Concerned about insulin resistance and its impact on your health? Book a check-up with Aspen Diabetes & Endocrine Clinic and take control of your health early.
