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Endocrinologist Only Please. My Sister Is 33 Years Old And
Question: Endocrinologist only please. My sister is 33 years old and back in February and was concerned with pre-diabetes because she has occasional symptoms of hypoglycemia. Her doctor was not convinced she has it but ran blood tests for her. Her blood tests in February read:
Feb 16:
A1C: 4.9% . Ref Range:4.7 - 5.6
Fasting Insulin: 5.1 uIU/ml . Ref Range: 2.6 - 24.9
Fasting Glucose: 88 mg/ Ref Range: 65.99
She was told her bloods were completely normal but the doctor agreed to run the tests again 6 months later. She just had a blood tests run again and they were all relatively the same but the fasting insulin jumped almost 10 uIU/ml's:
August 2:
A1C: 5.1% . Ref Range: 4.7 - 5.6
Fasting Insulin: 14 uIU/ml . Ref Range: 2.6 - 24.9
Fasting Glucose: 88 mg/ Ref Range: 65.99
Does this signify anything? She is concerned and her doctor is away for the week.
Feb 16:
A1C: 4.9% . Ref Range:4.7 - 5.6
Fasting Insulin: 5.1 uIU/ml . Ref Range: 2.6 - 24.9
Fasting Glucose: 88 mg/ Ref Range: 65.99
She was told her bloods were completely normal but the doctor agreed to run the tests again 6 months later. She just had a blood tests run again and they were all relatively the same but the fasting insulin jumped almost 10 uIU/ml's:
August 2:
A1C: 5.1% . Ref Range: 4.7 - 5.6
Fasting Insulin: 14 uIU/ml . Ref Range: 2.6 - 24.9
Fasting Glucose: 88 mg/ Ref Range: 65.99
Does this signify anything? She is concerned and her doctor is away for the week.
Brief Answer:
still normal, can monitor for now
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned re any change in blood test results but the results are still within the normal range.
Increasing levels of fasting insulin can occur in different circumstances but because her value is still within normal range, they would not be considered at this time.
Increasing insulin can occur: (1) early type 2 diabetes but her results are normal .
In prediabetes the HbA1c is at least 5.6% and the fasting blood sugar range is 100 to 125 mg/dl- these are the criteria for diagnosis according to the ADA.
(2 hour post meal can also be used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes)
Right now she is not even in the prediabetic range, which is good.
It is possible that this may change but right now the values are ok
(2) obesity
(3)use of steroids
(4)acromegaly (excess growth hormon)
(5)cushing syndrome ( the body makes excess of the steroid hormone)
Summary: Though the results have increased, they may not have any further change and right now all of them are still within normal range
Right now she does not need to be concerned and can consider repeating the tests in 6 to 12 months
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
still normal, can monitor for now
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned re any change in blood test results but the results are still within the normal range.
Increasing levels of fasting insulin can occur in different circumstances but because her value is still within normal range, they would not be considered at this time.
Increasing insulin can occur: (1) early type 2 diabetes but her results are normal .
In prediabetes the HbA1c is at least 5.6% and the fasting blood sugar range is 100 to 125 mg/dl- these are the criteria for diagnosis according to the ADA.
(2 hour post meal can also be used to diagnose prediabetes and diabetes)
Right now she is not even in the prediabetic range, which is good.
It is possible that this may change but right now the values are ok
(2) obesity
(3)use of steroids
(4)acromegaly (excess growth hormon)
(5)cushing syndrome ( the body makes excess of the steroid hormone)
Summary: Though the results have increased, they may not have any further change and right now all of them are still within normal range
Right now she does not need to be concerned and can consider repeating the tests in 6 to 12 months
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you so much for the detailed answer. Can fasting insulin fluctuate in normal, healthy adults? Can she go back in a month and her insulin level be back down ? Or is there always a cause/effect to the reason it is high?
Brief Answer:
can fluctuate in some persons
Detailed Answer:
HI
Yes, it can fluctuate in some persons though the variations tend to be insignificant (eg it remained in the normal zone as with your sister)
It is possible that the fasting insulin level will decrease, though it may take longer than the month mentioned, she should repeat in a longer period of time
If the increase is related insulin resistance than this can be reduced by: (1)weight loss (if there is any increased weight, if this is not an issue then just increasing muscle mass by strength training would help
Increased muscle mass is associated with decreased insulin resistance
(2)reduce the use of some carbs
As stated, her values are still within normal range and she would not be considered a prediabetic or definitely not a diabetic at this point and may never become one
can fluctuate in some persons
Detailed Answer:
HI
Yes, it can fluctuate in some persons though the variations tend to be insignificant (eg it remained in the normal zone as with your sister)
It is possible that the fasting insulin level will decrease, though it may take longer than the month mentioned, she should repeat in a longer period of time
If the increase is related insulin resistance than this can be reduced by: (1)weight loss (if there is any increased weight, if this is not an issue then just increasing muscle mass by strength training would help
Increased muscle mass is associated with decreased insulin resistance
(2)reduce the use of some carbs
As stated, her values are still within normal range and she would not be considered a prediabetic or definitely not a diabetic at this point and may never become one
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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