This article was co-authored by Damaris Vega, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Dr. Damaris Vega is a board certified Endocrinologist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a BS in General Science and subsequently earned an MD from the Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, PR. During medical school, Dr. Vega served as president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was selected as her school's representative for the American Association of Medical Colleges. She then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Mineral, and Metabolism at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Vega has been recognized for excellent patient care multiple times by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and received the Patients' Choice Award in 2008, 2009, and 2015. She is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists and is an active member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. Dr. Vega is also the founder and CEO of Houston Endocrinology Center as well as a principal investigator for multiple clinical trials at Juno Research, LLC.
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Believe it or not, insulin testing is different from traditional blood sugar testing. While blood sugar tests provide your blood sugar levels, insulin tests pinpoint low blood sugar, insulin resistance, along with other conditions, like pancreatic tumors.[1] If you’re interested in getting your insulin tested, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to discover all the answers to your frequently asked, insulin test-related questions.
Steps
When should I get my insulin tested?
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Get your insulin tested if you have symptoms of low blood sugar. If you’re experiencing dizziness, blurry vision, huge hunger pangs, confusion, irregular heartbeat, sweating, or trembling, you might have hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. An insulin test can provide a more concrete diagnosis.[6]
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2Your doctor might advise getting tested if you’re diabetic. An insulin test helps your doctor keep an eye on your insulin production. Your doctor might also recommend a test if they believe that you have insulin resistance, even if you aren’t diabetic.[7]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I better control my insulin levels with diet?Damaris Vega, MDDr. Damaris Vega is a board certified Endocrinologist. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico with a BS in General Science and subsequently earned an MD from the Ponce School of Medicine, Ponce, PR. During medical school, Dr. Vega served as president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was selected as her school's representative for the American Association of Medical Colleges. She then completed a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, Mineral, and Metabolism at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Vega has been recognized for excellent patient care multiple times by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and received the Patients' Choice Award in 2008, 2009, and 2015. She is a fellow of the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists and is an active member of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the American Diabetes Association, and the Endocrine Society. Dr. Vega is also the founder and CEO of Houston Endocrinology Center as well as a principal investigator for multiple clinical trials at Juno Research, LLC.
Board Certified EndocrinologistThe most important thing is to limit your carbohydrate intake, and choose carbohydrates that are better for you. For instance, you might opt for brown rice instead of white rice, and have a smaller portion. Also, opt for carbohydrates from fresh fruits and vegetables rather than processed foods.
Tips
References
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
- ↑ https://labtestsonline.org/tests/insulin
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/blood-sugar/art-20046628
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/insulin-in-blood/