About diabetes
Insulin Resistance Test: How Doctors Diagnose It
Insulin resistance is often silent. Many people don’t know they have it until blood sugar levels are already high. Testing helps detect problems early — before type 2 diabetes develops.
Measures insulin levels after an overnight fast.
High fasting insulin can mean the body is working too hard to keep blood sugar normal.
Uses fasting glucose + fasting insulin in a formula.
A higher score suggests insulin resistance.
You drink a sugary solution. Blood sugar and insulin are measured at intervals.
Shows how well the body handles glucose
Reflects average blood sugar over 3 months.
Not a direct insulin resistance test, but high values may indicate long-term insulin problems.
High triglycerides + low HDL often signal insulin resistance.
Simple but powerful indirect marker.
If results suggest insulin resistance:
Adopt a whole-food, low-carb diet
Exercise (weight training + walking)
Improve sleep and stress control
Work with your doctor on next steps
👉 Think you may have insulin resistance? Ask your doctor about a fasting insulin test or HOMA-IR.
👉 Learn more:→ Insulin Resistance Diet
👉 Explore:→ How to Reverse Insulin Resistance
FAQs
The fasting insulin test and HOMA-IR are commonly used.
Yes. Many people with insulin resistance have normal glucose at first, but high insulin levels.
Not directly — it shows average blood sugar. But high HbA1c can suggest long-term insulin issues.
If you’re at risk, testing every 6–12 months can help detect early changes.
Yes — diet, exercise, and weight loss can reverse insulin resistance in many cases.