Signs of Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is your body's inability to properly utilize the insulin that it produces. Insulin normally enables your body to utilize glucose to create energy. Insulin resistance occurs when the cells in your fat, liver and muscles have an abnormal insulin response. The result is that your body requires increased levels of insulin to get glucose into the cells, your pancreas becomes overworked with the increased demand and your risk of developing diabetes is increased.

Common Symptoms

• People with insulin resistance may experience some common symptoms, some of which may occur after eating while others may be constant. Symptoms include fatigue, mental fatigue, drowsiness after eating, depression, hypoglycemia, mood changes (agitation, mood swings or jittery feelings), bloating, weight gain, increased level of triglycerides and hypertension (high blood pressure). There is a severe form of the condition that causes dark areas on the skin (a condition known as acanthosis nigricans).

Fatigue, Mental Fatigue, Drowsiness and Depression

• Fatigue is one of the most common characteristics of insulin resistance. The condition can deplete your energy, leaving you exhausted during a certain time of the day or throughout the entire day.
  Mental fatigue is another symptom. This can be characterized by memory loss, loss of interest in certain activities and poor work/school performance.
  Becoming markedly drowsy right after eating a carbohydrate-laden meal (consisting of at least 20 percent carbohydrates) is another pronounced symptom.
  Depression is another possible symptom of insulin resistance due to the effects that carbohydrates have on the brain.

Hypoglycemia, Mood Changes, Bloating and Weight Gain

• Hypoglycemia (periodic drops in blood sugar) paired with fatigue is another common symptom. While brief periods of lower blood glucose levels are normal, longer stretches of the condition indicate a possible problem.
  Mood changes like moodiness, agitation and nervousness are commonly accompaniments to insulin resistance. Relief from these feelings is usually resolved immediately after eating.
  Bloating can occur from the insufficient carbohydrate digestion. If you have insulin resistance, eating carbohydrates will likely cause intestinal gas and bloating.
  Weight gain is an obvious external symptom. Men with insulin resistance usually present with hefty girth in the abdominal area while women with insulin resistance usually present with bulk in the buttock area.

High Triglycerides, Hypertension and Acanthosis Nigricans

• If you have insulin resistance, you are likely storing fat in your arteries since your body is not properly metabolizing food. This leads to high triglyceride levels.
  Hypertension or high blood pressure is caused by having too much insulin in your system. As your levels of insulin climb, your blood pressure does the same.
  Acanthosis nigricans is characterized by discolorations of the skin. Dark areas may appear on the neck, knees, elbows, armpits and knuckles.

Considerations

• Risk factors for developing insulin resistance include a family history of diabetes, obesity, advancing age, inactive lifestyle, race, history of gestational diabetes and giving birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.

  Some people with insulin resistance may be asymptomatic (have no symptoms). You could have the condition for several years without noticing any irregularities. Having regular check-ups with your doctor can help to screen and catch the condition early. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further health issues.