Metabolic health
Fasting Insulin
The amount of insulin, the hormone that moves sugar out of your blood and into cells, present after an overnight fast.
Why it matters
Fasting insulin rises years before glucose does. A normal glucose with a high insulin means your pancreas is working overtime to keep sugar in range, the earliest visible stage of insulin resistance.
If it runs high
High fasting insulin suggests your body needs extra insulin to control blood sugar, the hallmark of insulin resistance. Weight, sleep, activity, and diet all influence it.
If it runs low
Low fasting insulin alongside normal glucose is typically a sign of good insulin sensitivity. Low insulin with high glucose is a different picture and needs clinical attention.
Reference ranges vary by sex, age, and laboratory, your BetterBuy Rx Labs report plots your value on the range that applies to you. A single out-of-range result is a prompt to talk to your clinician, not a diagnosis.