Insulin blood test in Chiswick

What the test measures

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. After you eat, it rises to help glucose enter muscle, fat and liver cells, keeping blood sugar within a healthy range. When cells respond less well to insulin, a state known as insulin resistance, the pancreas compensates by producing more, so insulin can be raised for years while glucose still looks normal.

A fasting insulin level is most useful when read with a fasting glucose. The two can be combined into a calculation such as HOMA-IR, which estimates insulin resistance. Insulin is not used to diagnose diabetes in the UK, but it can add detail to a blood sugar picture.

The price includes the blood sample taken at our Chiswick clinic, analysis at the Randox accredited laboratory, a practitioner review of your result with you, and a GP feedback report on request.

Who it is for

• You have a family history of type 2 diabetes and want more detail than glucose alone.
• You have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is often linked with insulin resistance.
• You carry extra weight around the waist and find it hard to lose.
• You have had borderline glucose or HbA1c results.
• You are making diet and activity changes and want a marker to track.

Understanding your result

Your report shows your insulin level with the laboratory reference range. A raised fasting insulin, especially with a normal or slightly raised glucose, suggests the body is working harder to control blood sugar, which may point to insulin resistance. A low insulin with high glucose suggests the pancreas is not producing enough.

Insulin varies through the day and is strongly affected by food, so a non-fasting sample is difficult to interpret. A value outside the range is a prompt for discussion, not a diagnosis. Any concern about diabetes is confirmed by your GP with standard tests.

Preparing for your test

Fasting is needed: have nothing but water for 8 to 12 hours before your sample, ideally with a morning appointment. Avoid strenuous exercise the day before. If you take insulin or diabetes tablets, speak to your doctor before fasting, as these affect the result and fasting can cause low blood sugar. Avoid high-dose biotin for 48 hours, as it can interfere with some immunoassays.

Diabetes Status brings insulin together with glucose and HbA1c, and the Insulin Resistance Check (HOMA-IR) on the same page calculates your resistance score. Insulin is also part of Tired All The Time. You can see every blood test and price in Chiswick.

Questions

How much is an insulin blood test in Chiswick?

An insulin blood test at Omnia Lifestyle costs £79. The price covers your sample in Chiswick, analysis at an accredited laboratory, a practitioner review and a GP feedback report on request.

Do I need to fast for an insulin test?

Yes. Insulin rises quickly after food, so fast for 8 to 12 hours with water only for a meaningful result.

What is insulin resistance?

It is when the body's cells respond less well to insulin, so more is needed to keep blood sugar normal. Over time it can lead to type 2 diabetes, and it is often improved by changes in diet, activity and weight.

Should I test insulin with glucose?

Yes, ideally. Insulin is hard to interpret on its own, and pairing it with fasting glucose allows an estimate of insulin resistance.