The Insulin test measures the insulin levels in your blood. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, allows glucose to enter muscle, fat, and liver cells for energy use. Improper timing or amount of insulin release can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar). Therefore, an insulin test is crucial for checking if your insulin levels are normal.

The Insulin test also helps doctors diagnose conditions like diabetes, assess insulin resistance, and decide if insulin therapy is necessary for type 2 diabetes patients. They are also used to monitor the effectiveness of pancreatic islet cell transplantation in type 1 diabetes, where the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells.

If you’re in Gurgaon and have symptoms of insulin-related health issues, an Insulin blood test can reveal the insulin production capacity of the pancreas. Book an Insulin fasting test in Gurgaon today to find out your insulin levels.

When planning a Fasting Insulin test at home in Gurgaon, keep the following in mind for accurate results:

• Prerequisites: Fasting for 10 to 12 hours (no food or drink) is required before the Insulin test.

• Best Time to Get Tested: You can schedule the Fasting Insulin test at any time of the day after a 10- to 12-hour fasting period.

• Who Should Take an Insulin Fasting Test: Although anyone can take this test, it is especially recommended for:

• Individuals at risk of diabetes, having prediabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

• Those with a surgical history of removal of insulinoma or islet cell transplantation in the pancreas.

• Individuals manifesting symptoms of low blood sugar or low blood pressure such as dizziness, confusion, shakiness, and sweating.

• Cautions Before Taking an Insulin Fasting Test: There are typically no specific precautions for this test. However, if you take biotin supplements (vitamin B7) or medications with biotin, your doctor may suggest stopping them at least one day before your test. Always consult your doctor before stopping any medications.

If a recent blood glucose test revealed low blood sugar levels, your doctor may suggest an Insulin Blood test to identify the cause. Symptoms of low blood sugar include:

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Hunger

• Irritability

• Sweating

• Anxiety

• Trembling

• Confusion

• Weakness

• Headache

• Irregular heartbeat

This test can also be used to diagnose and monitor insulin resistance, particularly if you have prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, or heart disease. It helps guide treatment decisions for type 2 diabetes, such as whether insulin therapy is necessary. Other reasons for this test include:

• Monitoring health conditions after the removal of an insulinoma, a non-cancerous pancreatic tumour that causes excessive insulin production, to ensure no tumour tissue remains and to check for recurrence.

• Evaluating the success of islet cell transplantation, where insulin-producing cells are transplanted into the pancreas.

Use the table given below to understand and interpret your Fasting Insulin test results:

To understand the impact of test results on your health, seek advice from your treating doctor.