What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance means that the body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin. The pancreas compensates by producing more insulin to keep blood glucose normal.
Does insulin resistance mean I have diabetes?
No. Insulin resistance can occur when blood glucose is still normal. Over time, however, it may progress to prediabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes.
Does a person with normal weight get Insulin resistance?
Cells Struggle to Produce Enough Energy
Yes. A person can have normal body weight but still have excess visceral fat, poor muscle fitness or other metabolic risk factors.
Are there symptoms of insulin resistance?
Usually there are no specific symptoms. Some people may have increased waist circumference, fatty liver, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol or skin changes such as acanthosis nigricans.
Who is more likely to develop insulin resistance?
Risk increases with: Excess abdominal fat Overweight or obesity Physical inactivity Family history of diabetes Increasing age Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Previous gestational diabetes.
Can routine blood tests detect Insulin resistance?
Routine tests do not directly
measure insulin resistance. However, fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, and liver tests can reveal associated metabolic abnormalities.
What is acanthosis nigricans?
It is dark, thickened, velvety skin, commonly around the neck, armpits, or groin. It can be associated with insulin resistance, particularly in people who are overweight
What is the role of fasting insulin?
Fasting insulin can provide additional information in selected situations, but it is not routinely required to diagnose insulin resistance.
What is HOMA-IR?
HOMA-IR is a calculated index using fasting glucose and fasting insulin. It can be useful in research and selected clinical settings, but there is no universally accepted cutoff for diagnosing insulin resistance in every individual.
How much exercise helps?
A practical target is at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, together with muscle-strengthening exercise at least twice weekly, adjusted for age and physical ability.
Can HbA1c be normal despite insulin resistance?
Yes. Early insulin resistance may be present while HbA1c remains normal because the pancreas is producing extra insulin to maintain glucose levels.
Is abdominal obesity particularly important?
Yes. Waist circumference is a useful marker of metabolic risk because visceral fat is strongly associated with insulin resistance. Waist measurement can sometimes provide information that body weight alone misses.
What is the connection between insulin resistance and fatty liver?
Insulin resistance is closely associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Fat accumulation in the liver can occur even without obvious symptoms.
Can insulin resistance be reversed?
It can often be substantially improved. Weight reduction when appropriate, regular physical activity, resistance training, adequate sleep, and a healthy dietary pattern can improve insulin sensitivity.
Author: Dr Jay Deshmukh
Dr Jay Deshmukh is Chief Physician and Director, Sunflower Hospital, Nagpur Honorary Physician to Honorable Governor of Maharashtra and PondicherryCentral. Dr Jay Deshmukh is an M.B.B.S., M.C.P.S., F.C.P.S., M.N.A.M.S., MD From Internal Medicine – Bombay and New Delhi.
