Insulin Test: A Complete Guide Regarding Test Procedure, Uses & Cost

Insulin is an endocrine hormone produced and released by the endocrine pancreas (Beta cells). Insulin is secreted in response to carbohydrates present in your diet. It facilitates the transport of glucose from the bloodstream...

What is Insulin Test?

Insulin is an endocrine hormone produced and released by the endocrine pancreas (Beta cells). Insulin is secreted in response to carbohydrates present in your diet. It facilitates the transport of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells via GLUT (Glucose transporter) receptors present on the cells. This way it helps in maintaining and regulating blood sugar level for optimum function of body.

When cells either fail to respond normally to insulin or downregulate insulin receptors, it results in condition called Insulin resistance (IR). In this condition, the same level of insulin is unable to produce the same effects on blood glucose transportation and blood sugar level.

Initially, insulin resistance results in Hyperglycemia (Increased level of blood sugar). To compensate this, our body start producing excess insulin leading to Hyperinsulinemia and Hypoglycemia. With time the capacity of body to produce insulin get exhausted and ultimately lands in a diabetic state.

Insulin test is used to measure the level of insulin present in your blood. It is used for screening, identification, diagnosis and monitoring of many diseases, disorders or conditions affecting the levels of Insulin and blood sugar.

Other names of Insulin test:

Serum Insulin test
Fasting Insulin test
Total & free Insulin Estimation test.

Why do I need an Insulin test?

Your health care professional may order an Insulin test for you if you have:

Signs and symptoms such as:
- Sweating
- Confusion
- Tremors
- Blurring of vision
- Dizziness
- Irregular heart rate
- Fainting
- Irritability
- Frequent urination
- Polyphagia (Excess and frequent hunger)
- Polydipsia (Excess and frequent thirst).
Diseases or conditions such as:
- Insulin resistance
- Insulin deficiency
- Hyperinsulinemia
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Evaluation of hypoglycemia
- Evaluation of hyperglycemia
- PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- To aid diagnosis or rule out Insulinoma.
Monitoring purpose including:
- Patients of Insulinoma
- Patients with insulin resistance
- Type 1 diabetic patients
- Type 2 diabetic patients
- Metabolic syndrome
- Cushing syndrome
- Pancreatitis
- Pre-operative evaluation before surgical approach to pancreas
- Post-operative evaluation in patients with pancreatectomy (pancreatic resection)
- To monitor the efficacy of treatment in patients with insulin resistance, pancreatitis or insulinoma.

How do I prepare for Insulin test?

Follow these simple steps if you are going for an Insulin test:

Take an appointment: Fix an appointment for Insulin test in a diagnostic lab to avoid waiting at the time of test.
Fasting: 8-10 hours fasting is required for Insulin test. Usually, an overnight fasting is done and blood samples are taken in the morning.
Food: There is no need to restrict your carbohydrate intake a night before the test. So, you can eat a normal diet weeks or days before the test.
Medications: Inform your doctor about all the drugs and supplements that you are currently taking. Certain drugs especially Vitamin B7 (Biotin) may alter the test results. Your doctor may advice some modifications before the test if required.
Exercise: Avoid strenuous exercise before the test as it may alter the test results.

What is the procedure for Insulin test?

The procedure of Insulin test includes the following steps:

First a torniquet will be tied around your arm.
Then a cotton swab soaked with 70% alcohol is used to clean/disinfect the injection site before needle insertion.
Then a small needle will be inserted in the vein of your arm and required amount of blood is withdrawn from it and collected in a sterile test tube.
Then the needle is removed and an adhesive sticker is placed on the puncture site to prevent it from infections.
Sample is sent to laboratory for further processing and testing.

Price of Insulin test in Delhi?

Price of Insulin test depends upon many factors such as city and locality. Different diagnostic labs charges according to the quality of machines they have and various offers that they are providing to their customers. Cost may also vary depending upon the type of insulin test which is being performed.

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging centre (GDIC), Rohini also known as GDIC is currently offering 50% discounts on various tests including Insulin test.

Our centers are NABH accredited and equipped with modern, highly expensive machines with latest cutting-edge technologies and highly skilled Radiologists and Pathologists. We follow strict aseptic conditions to prevent transmission of infections.

Charges of various tests used for screening and diagnosing Insulin deficiency or hyperinsulinemia at Ganesh Lab (GDIC) are as following:

Serum Insulin (Fasting)

~~Rs 800~~ - Rs 400 Book now

Serum Insulin (PP)

~~Rs 800~~ - Rs 400 Book now

Serum Anti Insulin Antibody

Rs - Rs Book now

Hurry! Grab the best deals now!

Related FAQs:

Which sample is required for Insulin test?

Blood (Serum) sample is required for insulin test.

How long does it take to get Insulin test report?

Insulin test reports are usually available within 24 hours of blood sample collection.

Low level of insulin is seen in which conditions?

A low level of Insulin can be detected in the following conditions:

Type 1 diabetes
Late cases of type 2 diabetes
Pancreatitis
Prolonged starvation
Cystic fibrosis.

High level of Insulin is detected in which conditions?

An elevated level of Insulin can be detected in the following conditions:

Insulin resistance.
Hypoglycemia
Early cases of Type 2 diabetes
Obesity
Cushing syndrome
Metabolic syndrome
Insulinoma
Beta cell hyperplasia
Acromegaly
PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
Drugs intake such as:
Levodopa
OCP
Steroids etc.

What are the risks/side effects of Insulin test?

Insulin test is a safe procedure with usually no side effects. However, some individuals may experience few side effects as mentioned below:

Pain at injection site.
Hematoma
Multiple punctures to locate vein in those where veins are not easily accessible.
Bleeding at puncture site, especially patients having bleeding or clotting disorders or those on anticoagulant therapy.
Infection at puncture site
Thrombophlebitis.

How to check the Insulin test report?

Normal reports can be interpreted as following:

Reference interval	Normal level of Insulin
After 8-10 hours fasting	<25 mIU/L
30 minutes after glucose intake	30-230 mIU/L
1-hour after glucose intake	18-276 mIU/L
2-hour after glucose intake	16-166 mIU/L
3 hour or more after glucose intake	<25mIU/L

Description of term used:

mIU/L: Milli international unit per liter.

Best diagnostic centre for Insulin test in Delhi?

Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging center (GDIC) is considered as the best diagnostic lab for Insulin test in Rohini, North-East Delhi. We have many branches in different locations of Delhi including Hari Nagar, Yamuna Vihar, Nangloi, Model Town and Mangol puri.

Ganesh lab (GDIC) is now considered one of the most popular diagnostic labs in Delhi as:

We provide high standard quality services to our patients.
Experience of 23+ years of services.
Our labs are NABH certified.
Facility of latest cutting-edge technologies.
Well-trained technicians.
Highly Skilled Radiologists and Pathologists
Genuine reporting and Patient satisfaction are our top priority.
We offer seamless integration between diagnosis and treatment planning.
Affordable Diagnostic lab with up to 50% discount on many tests. Currently, we are offering flat 50% discount on various types of Blood tests including Insulin test.
We are open 24X7 and 365 days.
You can also avail free Consultation with our Pathologist regarding any blood test or imaging scans.
We also offer facilities of online reporting, free home sample collection and free Ambulance services in Delhi, NCR.
We are empanelled with various departments and organizations. So, you can get the services at panel rate too.
Lakhs of satisfied customers.