Determination of insulin - 2 hours after loading with glucose

General Information

Insulin is an anabolic (promoting synthetic processes) hormone that ensures glucose uptake, glycogenesis (glycogen formation), lipogenesis (fat formation) and protein (protein) synthesis in skeletal muscle and fat cells.

Insulin ensures the maintenance of blood glucose levels, for which it interacts with catabolic (decomposing) hormones: epinephrine, glucocorticoids and growth hormone.

Insulin research is prescribed in fasting and 2 hours after food (glucose load) both in diabetics and in patients at risk of developing diabetes:

• Pregnant women with type I or type II diabetes or a family history of high blood sugar
• Women with gestational diabetes
• People taking a new type of insulin or a different dose of medication
• Diabetic patients who have difficulty controlling their condition
• Patients with diabetes who are on multi-drug treatment
• Patients with increased postprandial glycemia levels in blood plasma
• People with insulin resistance

When should we do the research?

Determination of insulin in the blood provides information on how the beta cells of the pancreas secrete insulin, fasting and after eating.

The study is conducted during the following symptoms:

• increased hunger
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Weakness
• Heart palpitations

Determining the insulin level is also prescribed for the following pathologies:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Type I and Type II diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Heart diseases
• Cushing's disease
• insulinoma

How is the fasting and postprandial insulin test performed?

Fasting insulin determination - The study is performed on an empty stomach, at least 8 hours after the last meal. Research material: venous blood

Insulin test 2 hours after glucose load - The study is conducted 2 hours after the glucose load.

Referral norms and interpretation of indicators

The norm of insulin in the blood may vary in different laboratories.

MIU/L – micro international unit (micro international unit/liter)

Pmol/L – picomole/liter

What is the cause of low insulin?

• Type I Diabetes mellitus: It is the result of an autoaggressive process against pancreatic beta cells
• Diseases of the pancreas: Inflammatory and various degenerative processes of the pancreas may cause clinical manifestations similar to diabetes.
• Surgical removal of the pancreas: Pancreatectomy performed for one or another reason (eg tumor).
• Hypopituitarism: of the pituitary gland Hormonal failure

What causes high insulin levels?

• Insulin resistance: A condition where the cells are not sensitive to insulin, which consequently leads to increased production and release of insulin by the pancreas.
• Obesity: Low insulin levels and excess weight are directly related, as obesity develops as a result of insulin resistance.
• Type II Diabetes mellitus
• Insulinoma: It is a benign tumor of the pancreas that produces insulin.
• Pancreatic cell hyperplasia: Proliferation of normal (non-cancerous) pancreatic cells that produce excess insulin.
• Cushing's syndrome: It is a disease with excessive production of cortisol (hormone of the cortical layer of the adrenal gland), the most common cause of which is pituitary tumor and causes hyperinsulinemia.
• Acromegaly: It is a rare disease caused by an excess of growth hormone (somatotropin) and insulin-like growth factor-1, which provokes excess production of insulin.
• Medicines: Corticosteroids, sulfonylurea drugs (used in the treatment of diabetes), oral contraceptives increase the level of insulin in the blood.