Geri

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. It regulates carbohydrate metabolism and helps maintain the necessary glucose levels in the blood. Additionally, it participates in fat metabolism.

The half-life of circulating insulin is 3–5 minutes, and it is primarily broken down in the liver. Insulin facilitates glucose uptake by liver, adipose, and muscle cells, ensuring proper glucose utilization and storage.

  • Sample Type: Venous blood.
  • Fasting is required for at least 12 hours prior to the test.
  • Discontinue medications 24 hours before the test (with your doctor's approval).
  • Avoid alcohol 24 hours before the test.
  • Do not smoke 3 hours before the test.
  • Blood samples should be collected in the morning between 8:00 and 11:00 AM.
  • Diagnosis of hypoglycemic conditions.
  • Suspected insulinoma.
  • Determining absolute insulin requirements in diabetic patients.
  • Comprehensive evaluation of patients with metabolic syndrome.
  • Assessment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  • Investigating symptoms of hypoglycemia, including:
    • Excessive sweating.
    • Rapid heartbeat.
    • Persistent hunger.
    • Fainting.
    • Blurred vision.
    • Dizziness.
    • Weakness.
    • Heart attack-like symptoms.
  • Evaluating insulin resistance.
  • Determining the appropriate time to initiate insulin or glucose-lowering drugs in Type 2 diabetes.
  • Assessing the success of insulinoma removal and detecting potential recurrences.
  • Monitoring pancreatic islet cell transplantation to evaluate insulin secretion capability.

Increased Insulin Levels:

  • Normal pregnancy.
  • Type 2 diabetes (early stages).
  • Obesity.
  • Liver diseases.
  • Acromegaly.
  • Cushing's syndrome.
  • Muscular dystrophy.
  • Insulinoma.
  • Hereditary fructose and galactose intolerance.
  • Use of insulin or hypoglycemic drugs.
  • Insulin resistance (e.g., chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, pancreatic cancer).
  • Drug Interactions:
    • Acetohexamide, albuterol, amino acids, calcium gluconate (in newborns), chlorpropamide, cyproheptadine (in non-diabetic individuals), danazol, fructose, glucagon, glucose, growth hormone, levodopa (in Parkinson's treatment), niacin (at high doses), oral contraceptives, pancreozymin (IV injection), phentolamine (infusion), prednisolone, quinidine, secretin (IV), spironolactone, sucrose, terbutaline, tolazamide, tolbutamide.

Decreased Insulin Levels:

  • Prolonged physical stress.
  • Type 1 diabetes.
  • Advanced Type 2 diabetes.

This interpretation helps identify underlying conditions and guides further diagnostic or therapeutic measures.