Insulin levels in insulin resistant folks

(Mary Kubasak) #1

Quick question,

I’ve been working on my insulin resistance, and have my doctor setup to order me fasting insulin levels once every 3 months, as that seems a good interval to check that I am making progress. I’ve been getting the blood draw at about 8 hours fasted, to keep the the results consistent, and I’m making progress, but for a number that would ideally be <5, mine is still in the mid teens… I’m making an assumption here, but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask, if I fast 48 hours or thereabouts my “fasted insulin” level is going to be significantly lower than my 8 hour number ( right?) - how long in hours will a 19 (say) take to get down to that <2 I am aiming for? - as I get one draw per 3 months, I can’t really get the n=1 version of this number :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: - even if I get a glucose tolerance set of readings, that doesn’t involve testing out two or three days later… Thank you for your thoughts. Mary

(Rob) #2

I don’t know specifically for insulin but the rule of thumb is that all tests lose their relevance if you don’t follow the rules for the test. I don’t think insulin breaks that rule. If they say 12 hours, do 12 hours, not more or less. I’m not sure I’ve seen anyone talk about “hacking” an insulin test and if you could, what would it prove? You want to reduce regular fasting insulin levels and AFAIK the primary way to do that is low carb and time.