Insulin Test

23 Jun

Posted by admin as Uncategorized

This measures the actual levels of insulin in the bloodstream. High levels of insulin can indicate early stages of Type 2 diabetes and hyperinsulemia (excess insulin in the blood), where the body attempts to over-produce insulin to counteract the body’s growing resistance to insulin usage. However, this test has limited utility because it is influenced by the various treatments of diabetes such as diabetes pills or insulin treatment, amongst other limitations. More common are the C-peptide test and various blood glucose tests.

How the Test is Performed?

Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood. Next, the health care provider gently inserts a needle into the vein. The blood collects into an airtight vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed from your arm. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding. In infants or young children, a sharp tool called a lancet may be used to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, or onto a slide or test strip. A bandage may be placed over the area if there is any bleeding.

How to Prepare for the Test?

The preparation depends on the reason for testing your insulin levels. Ask your health care provider if you should fast before the test. The health care provider may ask you to stop taking medications that can interfere with the test, including injected insulin and/or oral antidiabetic medications. For infants and children, the preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child’s age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:Infant test or procedure preparation (birth -1 year), Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 - 3 years), Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 - 6 years), School age test or procedure preparation (6 - 12 years), Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 - 18 years).

How the test will feel:

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.

Risks:

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include: Bleeding, Fainting or feeling light-headed, Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin), Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken).

Cheating athletes could soon by rumbled by insulin test:

Athletes who inject themselves with synthetic insulin to boost their performance could soon be caught out by a simple urine test. Athletes and bodybuilders sometimes inject insulin because it makes carbohydrates from food burn more efficiently, providing extra energy. It also prevents muscle breakdown

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