Lab test · Diabetes
Fasting Insulin
Fasting insulin level
- Blood sample
- Fasting: 8 hours
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Fasting insulin level
This test measures the level of insulin in your blood after a fast. Insulin is the hormone made by the pancreas that moves sugar from the blood into cells. When the body responds poorly to insulin, known as insulin resistance, the pancreas makes more of it, so a fasting insulin read together with blood sugar helps your doctor judge how well your body handles sugar.
Why a doctor may order it
- To look for insulin resistance, for example with obesity, prediabetes or PCOS
- Together with fasting blood sugar, to calculate HOMA-IR
- As part of the investigation of low blood sugar episodes
- Dark, velvety patches of skin on the neck or armpits, which can be linked to insulin resistance
How to prepare
Fasting: 8 hours without food before the sample; plain water is fine.
Fasting is needed for this test, and the fasting time is shown on this page. During the fast drink only plain water, and avoid tea, coffee, juice and chewing gum. Keep taking your usual medicines unless your doctor says otherwise, but if you use insulin or diabetes tablets, ask your doctor how to manage them while fasting.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- Book an early morning slot so that you can give the sample while still fasting. The collector takes a small blood sample from a vein in your arm, after which you can eat and drink as normal.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
Your fasting insulin is shown with the laboratory's reference range. A high level with normal blood sugar often suggests insulin resistance, where the pancreas is working harder to keep sugar under control. Interpretation depends on your blood sugar at the same time and on any insulin or diabetes medicines you take, and methods differ between laboratories. Your doctor will interpret the result with your glucose and other tests.
What's included
One test: Fasting Insulin, from one blood sample.
Related tests
- HOMA-IR (Insulin Resistance)Insulin resistance check৳790
- Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)This test measures the glucose (sugar) in your blood after you have not eaten for several hours, usually overnight.
- C-PeptideWhen the pancreas makes insulin, it releases an equal amount of a small protein called C-peptide.
- HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin)3-month blood sugar average৳550
- Lipid ProfileA lipid profile measures the fats in your blood: total cholesterol, LDL ('bad') cholesterol, HDL ('good') cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Random Blood Sugar (RBS)Blood sugar at any time৳150
Questions people ask
Why do I need to fast for an insulin test?
Eating raises both blood sugar and insulin. Fasting gives a steady baseline level that can be compared with standard ranges and with your fasting blood sugar.
Is fasting insulin used to diagnose diabetes?
No. Diabetes is diagnosed with blood sugar tests such as fasting glucose or HbA1c. Fasting insulin can show insulin resistance, which may come years before diabetes.
What is insulin resistance?
It means the body's cells do not respond well to insulin, so more insulin is needed to keep blood sugar normal. It is linked to extra weight around the middle, inactivity, PCOS and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
How much does a Fasting insulin test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳670, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Fasting insulin test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Fasting insulin report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.