Insulin resistance occurs when the body can’t use insulin properly. Over time, your blood sugar levels will rise; this is why insulin resistance is commonly associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes[1].
As insulin resistance doesn’t typically show any noticeable symptoms, it’s important to regularly check your blood glucose levels - this can be done by taking a trip to your doctor or from home with an at-home lab test.
LetsGetChecked’s Diabetes Test checks the levels of glucose in your blood - helping identify prediabetes and determine how well your diabetes is being managed if you have already been diagnosed.
See also: How Do You Check For Diabetes From Home?
Causes of insulin resistance
When it comes to insulin resistance, there are some risk factors that are beyond your control, these include[2] :
- Genetics
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Family history
There are also some factors associated with insulin resistance that can be controlled, these include[3] :
- Physical inactivity
- Excess bodyweight
- Smoking
Symptoms of insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is known to present little to no symptoms - signs only begin to show when it’s progressed to high blood sugar levels. When this occurs, symptoms may include[4] :
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Headache
See also: What Does High Blood Sugar Mean?
LetsGetChecked’s Diabetes Test determines your risk of diabetes (pre-diabetes) or how well your diabetes is being managed with online results in just 5 days.
You should consider taking the test if you[5] :
- Are overweight
- Are physically inactive
- Have a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes
- Are African American, Hispanic/Latino, American, Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
- Have polycystic ovary syndrome, also called PCOS
- Have had gestational diabetes, a diabetes that develops during pregnancy
- Have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- Are aged 45 or older
- Have had above-normal blood glucose levels
- Have high blood pressure
- Have low HDL (good) cholesterol
- Have high levels of blood fats
References
- American Diabetes Association. All About Insulin Resistance. Online: Diabetes.org, 2009
- American Diabetes Association. All About Insulin Resistance. Online: Diabetes.org, 2009
- American Diabetes Association. All About Insulin Resistance. Online: Diabetes.org, 2009
- Mayo Clinic. Hyperglycemia in diabetes. Online: Mayoclinic.org, 2018
- American Diabetes Association. All About Insulin Resistance. Online: Diabetes.org, 2009