Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. The measurement of insulin levels can provide information about the body's ability to produce and utilize insulin effectively.
This test is commonly used to diagnose and monitor diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin, while in type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. Insulin testing can help differentiate between these two types of diabetes.
Additionally, insulin testing may be used to diagnose other health conditions such as insulinoma (a tumor of the pancreas that produces excessive insulin), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), and metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels).
