Fasting glucose and insulin questions

saponaria · 11-20-2009, 10:37 AM

I am being repetitive here but just case you haven't read my other posts:

I was told I had hyperglycemia several months ago with a random blood glucose of 198. I got my butt in gear immediately and cut out all sugar and high carbs, I continued to exercise 6 days a week (I'd already started that) and I lost 25 lbs.

Fast forward to when I finally felt comfortable going in last week to get my fasting glucose, fasting insulin and A1C done....My fasting glucose was 103, fasting insulin was 5 and A1C was 5.2.

The A1C is good. My fasting glucose is prediabetic though very low in that range. However I though lowish fasting insulin was good. Mine is within normal range but low. However the Dr said that that showed I was actually faster on the progression towards diabetes than if it was higher. I tried to go home and look that up and I can't figure out what he is talking about. I can only find stuff that says my fasting insulin is good in that range. That the fasting insulin is lower in people who exercise regularly etc. But I know that that's what the Dr said. I repeated what he said in the form of a question to confirm that I understood him.

So can anyone by any chance explain to me why my fasting insulin of 5 indicates that I am farther to diabetic than just prediabetic?

Shayde · 11-20-2009, 11:44 AM

I've never had my fasting insulin tested, nor have I ever heard that lower levels mean getting diabetes sooner, but...

I really think you should not worry yourself over your almost-normal fasting bg level and the fasting insulin level. Your a1c is good which is the best indicator of blood sugar over a period of time.

Just keep doing what you're going. Exercise is an excellent way to keep your cells willing to accept blood sugar. You're doing great.

MACXXX · 11-20-2009, 01:04 PM

I am guessing that those he sees who are diabetic have low fasting insulin although I always thought most early diabetics had high fasting insulin. Best bet is ask him what he meant next time you see him.

saponaria · 11-21-2009, 06:43 AM

I asked around some where else too. It seems what he likely meant is my ratio of fasting glucose to fasting insulin. Elevated fasting insulin usually mean insulin resistance. Elevated fasting glucose with lowered fasting insulin usually means diabetes. It could be a sign of damaged to my pancreas where it is no longer producing large amounts of insulin but less because it's burnt out basically. Early diabetes and insulin resistance has elevated insulin levels and farther along has lowered insulin levels.

11-20-2009, 10:37 AM	#1
saponaria Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 140 Gallery: saponaria Stats: 200/172/120 WOE: Atkins, Weston Price, Bernstein	Fasting glucose and insulin questions I am being repetitive here but just case you haven't read my other posts: I was told I had hyperglycemia several months ago with a random blood glucose of 198. I got my butt in gear immediately and cut out all sugar and high carbs, I continued to exercise 6 days a week (I'd already started that) and I lost 25 lbs. Fast forward to when I finally felt comfortable going in last week to get my fasting glucose, fasting insulin and A1C done....My fasting glucose was 103, fasting insulin was 5 and A1C was 5.2. The A1C is good. My fasting glucose is prediabetic though very low in that range. However I though lowish fasting insulin was good. Mine is within normal range but low. However the Dr said that that showed I was actually faster on the progression towards diabetes than if it was higher. I tried to go home and look that up and I can't figure out what he is talking about. I can only find stuff that says my fasting insulin is good in that range. That the fasting insulin is lower in people who exercise regularly etc. But I know that that's what the Dr said. I repeated what he said in the form of a question to confirm that I understood him. So can anyone by any chance explain to me why my fasting insulin of 5 indicates that I am farther to diabetic than just prediabetic?

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11-20-2009, 11:44 AM	#2
Shayde Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 864 Gallery: Shayde Stats: 205/190/140 WOE: Patience Start Date: 11/1/09	I've never had my fasting insulin tested, nor have I ever heard that lower levels mean getting diabetes sooner, but... I really think you should not worry yourself over your almost-normal fasting bg level and the fasting insulin level. Your a1c is good which is the best indicator of blood sugar over a period of time. Just keep doing what you're going. Exercise is an excellent way to keep your cells willing to accept blood sugar. You're doing great.

11-20-2009, 01:04 PM	#3
MACXXX Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: CA Posts: 408 Gallery: MACXXX WOE: Atkins	I am guessing that those he sees who are diabetic have low fasting insulin although I always thought most early diabetics had high fasting insulin. Best bet is ask him what he meant next time you see him.

11-21-2009, 06:43 AM	#4
saponaria Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 140 Gallery: saponaria Stats: 200/172/120 WOE: Atkins, Weston Price, Bernstein	I asked around some where else too. It seems what he likely meant is my ratio of fasting glucose to fasting insulin. Elevated fasting insulin usually mean insulin resistance. Elevated fasting glucose with lowered fasting insulin usually means diabetes. It could be a sign of damaged to my pancreas where it is no longer producing large amounts of insulin but less because it's burnt out basically. Early diabetes and insulin resistance has elevated insulin levels and farther along has lowered insulin levels.