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What Is Insulin Resistant?

If you are insulin resistant, your body is unable to properly use the insulin it produces. As a result, your pancreas needs to produce increasing amounts of insulin to function properly, overworking your pancreas. Insulin resistance increases your risk of developing diabetes.

  1. Causes

    • Being insulin resistant might be largely caused by genetics. According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, scientists have identified several genes that make you more likely to develop the condition. Obesity and an inactive lifestyle contribute to the risk.

    Symptoms

    • There are usually no symptoms associated with insulin resistance, but in severe cases, patients might exhibit dark patches on the back of the neck, knees, knuckles elbows or armpits.

    Diagnosis

    • A doctor will need to measure the amount of insulin in your blood or he might order a fasting glucose test to measure the amount of glucose in your blood after not eating for eight hours or more.

    Complications

    • Being insulin resistant increases your risk of developing other conditions such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

    Risk Factors

    • Risk factors include obesity, family history and an inactive lifestyle.

    Prevention

    • If you are insulin resistant, increasing physical activity and losing weight will improve your body's response to insulin and prevent you from developing further complications.

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