Insulin Resistance
Answers to common questions about insulin resistance.
Questions on this page
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance means that the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin.
The pancreas may initially produce more insulin to compensate.
Does insulin resistance mean I have diabetes?
No.
You can have insulin resistance while your blood glucose is still normal.
Over time, some people may develop prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
What causes insulin resistance?
Common contributors include:
- Excess body fat, particularly abdominal fat
- Physical inactivity
- Genetic factors
- Poor sleep
- Increasing age
- Certain medical conditions
Can insulin resistance be reversed?
Insulin sensitivity can improve significantly with:
- Weight loss
- Regular physical activity
- Better sleep
- Healthy eating
- Appropriate medical treatment
How do I know if I have insulin resistance?
There is no single routine test that perfectly measures insulin resistance in everyday clinical practice.
Your doctor may look at your:
- Waist circumference
- BMI
- Blood glucose
- HbA1c
- Lipids
- Blood pressure
- Overall metabolic profile
Is high insulin a sign of insulin resistance?
It can be associated with insulin resistance, but a high insulin level alone does not diagnose insulin resistance.