When the cells of the liver, fat, and muscles stop responding to the insulin it influences the occurrence of insulin resistance which fails to utilize the glucose present in the blood. As a result, it can’t provide the necessary energy to the body. But at that time pancreas starts giving more insulin which results in high blood sugar soon.
This syndrome comprises certain problems like Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity. Sometimes it is also known as metabolic syndrome. Continue reading if you are interested to know more about this culprit of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance symptoms
Insulin resistance is impossible to detect merely by your present feeling. For that, you need to perform an insulin resistance test in the UK for having an eye on blood sugar levels.
You can’t come to know if other conditions contribute to the part of this condition too unless you visit a doctor for a check-up. They will thoroughly analyze high triglycerides, lower HDL (good cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein), and higher blood pressure.
Common warning symptoms of insulin resistance are given in the following:
- Skin tags
- About 40-inch of waistline in male and 35-inch in female
- Reading of blood pressure 130/80 or above
- The glucose level in fasting condition 100 mg/dL
- Fasting triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL
- Velvety dark skin patches are known as acanthosis nigricans
- HDL cholesterol level below 50 mg/dL in females and 40 mg/dL in male
Causes and risk factors
Attributes that can worsen the condition are:
- Sleep apnea or sleeping problem
- Belly fat or obesity
- Inactive lifestyle
- Gestational diabetes
- Carb-high diet
- Family history with diabetes
- Smoking
- Certain health conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver issue
- Ethnicity especially for Native American, Latino and African ancestors
- Age if the person is above 45 years of age
- Hormonal dysfunctions such as acromegaly and Cushing’s symptoms
- Medications such as HIV medication, antipsychotics, and steroids
Tests and diagnosis options
Some ways used by the doctor for diagnosing insulin resistance are given below:
- Questions- The doctor will take a dig into the medical history of your family for a better diagnosis.
- Physical exam- The doctor will measure your body weight and check your blood pressure level.
- Blood tests- You have to perform the below insulin resistance blood tests in the UK:
- Fasting plasma glucose test- It measures the blood sugar after keeping you fast for 8 long hours till your last meal.
- Oral glucose tolerance test- Firstly the said test will perform then you have to drink any sugary solution to perform this blood test after 2 hours of having the drink.
- Hemoglobin A1C test- It reveals the average level of blood sugar for the last couple of months. It generally helps in diagnosing both diabetes and prediabetes. In diabetic patients, it reveals whether the level is under control or not. To confirm the report, retesting may be necessary.
How does insulin resistance turn into Type 2 diabetes?
Once there is insulin resistance in your body the pancreas will start secreting an additional amount of insulin to make the deficit. For an extended time, it will keep the glucose level in your blood normal. But soon afterward, it will not be able to meet that.
So, in the meantime, you should bring changes in work out and eating habits. Otherwise, the sugar level will recklessly increase in the blood making you prediabetes. At that time you will be suggested to undergo a private insulin resistance test in the UK to check:
- A1C result should range 5.7%-6.4%
- Fasting plasma glucose test must range 100-125
- Oral glucose tolerance test must range 140-199 post-second tests
In case you fail to control prediabetes then diagnosis for Type 2 diabetes will be done if the test result reaches:
- Fasting plasma glucose test gets 126 or above
Prevention and treatment
There are some preventive measures you can opt to reverse the effect of insulin resistance preventing the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes:
- Exercise- Give a minimum of half an hour to moderate exercise including brisk walking for 5 days a week. At present, if you are inactive then work on it.
- Acquire healthy weight- If you are confused about how to control your weight with a proper plan and goal reach a doctor who will work on it with the coordination of a certified nutritionist and personal trainer.
- Consume a healthy and balanced diet- Choose a diet containing lean proteins, legumes, fish, beans, nuts, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Take the essential medication- Certain medications like Riomet, Glumetza, Glucophage, and Fortamet (Metformin) will be prescribed to control the blood sugar in the long run.
Insulin resistance complexities
In case you leave the metabolic syndrome untreated for a long time, it can occur:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Eye problems
- Kidney disease
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Chronic low and high blood glucose
Visit a nearby private clinic in your locality for a check-up and see the doctor seek the right medical care on time to prevent the occurrence of this issue. They can help you to maintain your blood sugar level under control.