Insulin resistance can begin years before type 2 diabetes and often goes unnoticed. Recognising its signs lets you take action in time.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance is a reduced sensitivity of the body’s cells – mainly in the liver, muscles and fat tissue – to the hormone insulin. Glucose cannot enter the cells normally, and the pancreas has to release more insulin to achieve the same effect.
Over time the insulin-producing cells cannot cope with this load, blood sugar rises and type 2 diabetes may develop. That is why insulin resistance is considered one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes, and it is usually present for years before the diagnosis.
If it is not detected and treated in time, insulin resistance can pave the way not only for diabetes but also for obesity, fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Which signs should you watch for?
- fat around the belly and waist – when insulin is high, fat tends to collect in the abdominal area;
- rapid weight gain, difficulty losing weight, lost weight quickly coming back;
- frequent hunger, slow satiety, strong cravings for sweets;
- intense hunger and irritability 1–2 hours after a meal;
- weakness, tiredness and sleepiness after eating;
- trembling hands, palpitations and dizziness when hungry;
- sleep problems, night-time hunger attacks;
- darkening of the skin on the neck, armpits, groin and elbows;
- irregular menstrual cycles in women.
What do dark patches on the neck mean?
Dark, thickened, velvety skin on the neck, in the armpits or groin is often mistaken for simple pigmentation or even dirt. In fact it may be a condition called acanthosis nigricans, one of the visible signs of insulin resistance.
Acanthosis is mostly seen with insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes, and in people without diabetes it may point to a future risk of the disease. However, it does not appear in everyone with insulin resistance, and these skin changes can have other causes too. Especially if you have excess weight, type 2 diabetes in the family or polycystic ovary syndrome, do not treat these patches as just a cosmetic problem – get checked.
What causes it?
Insulin resistance itself is often a consequence – it is important to find the cause behind it. The most common factors are:
- excess weight, especially fat around the abdomen;
- low physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle;
- poor eating habits and a high intake of sugary foods and drinks;
- lack of sleep.
How is it checked?
If you have these signs, blood tests are a must. The doctor assesses fasting and after-meal blood sugar, insulin and HbA1c. The HOMA-IR index is used to determine whether insulin resistance is present.
HOMA-IR is not a separate test – it is an index calculated from fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin. That is why the blood samples should be given in the morning on an empty stomach.
Healthy eating and an active lifestyle are the most effective treatment for insulin resistance.
Dr. Samir Shukurov
What should you do?
Healthy lifestyle changes are the cornerstone of managing insulin resistance:
- limit white bread and pastries, sugary fizzy drinks and packaged fruit juices, sweets, fried food and fast food;
- cut down on high glycaemic index foods such as white rice and potatoes;
- control your weight – losing abdominal fat in particular significantly improves insulin sensitivity;
- move regularly – combining diet and exercise gives the best results;
- check your blood sugar regularly.
In some cases the doctor may also prescribe medication that improves the action of insulin. For an accurate diagnosis and an individual treatment plan, consult an endocrinologist – timely action helps prevent diabetes.
This article is for general information only and does not replace a medical examination.