Insulin resistance is when the cells in your body don’t respond properly to insulin. This makes it harder for glucose to enter cells and be used as a source of energy.
Over time, this can lead to higher levels of sugar in your blood and possibly type 2 diabetes if your pancreas can’t make enough insulin to compensate.
Some people live with insulin resistance for many years without knowing they have it. As the symptoms of insulin resistance are often not noticeable, it’s important to have your blood sugar levels checked regularly by your doctor.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the sugar (glucose) in our blood. It helps transport glucose from our blood into our cells, where it is used for energy.
In people with insulin resistance, the cells can’t process insulin properly, and glucose builds up in the blood. To compensate, the pancreas makes more insulin, and the body stores the excess glucose in the liver and muscles and then converts it to body fat.
Insulin resistance can affect anyone, and it can be temporary (medications such as steroids can cause it). Excess body fat (particularly around the belly) and physical inactivity are factors associated with insulin resistance, as well as a number of hormonal and genetic conditions.
Is insulin resistance the same as diabetes?
No – if your cells can still process extra insulin to absorb glucose, then it is possible to have insulin resistance without diabetes.
A condition called prediabetes may develop, in which glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Prediabetes is usually associated with insulin resistance.
What are the symptoms of insulin resistance?
It is possible to have insulin resistance with no symptoms if your pancreas can produce more insulin and keep blood glucose levels within a normal range.
Over time though, the condition can worsen and the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin ‘wear out’, so not enough insulin can be made, and blood sugar levels rise.
The symptoms of prolonged high blood sugar levels may include:
- Blurred vision
- Increased hunger
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Tiredness/fatigue
- Weight loss
- Yeast infections.You can live with prediabetes for years without any symptoms. Prediabetes is sometimes associated with:
- Darker skin in the armpit or on the neck
- Eye changes
- Skin tags.
What causes insulin resistance?
If you have high levels of glucose in your blood for a long period of time, high levels of insulin are produced. Eventually, your cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is associated with several lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, having excess fat around the belly, and being physically inactive. There are also a number of hormonal and genetic factors that may cause the condition.
How is insulin resistance treated?
Your doctor will diagnose insulin resistance with a blood test. Lifestyle changes are the main treatment for insulin resistance, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet, losing excess weight and exercising more. Over time, these changes can reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels.
Can I reverse insulin resistance?
Some of the conditions and factors that cause insulin resistance aren’t reversible, but making healthier lifestyle choices can make a difference.