How checking fasting insulin now can help you prevent future metabolic issues before it’s too late.

Most annual lab work includes a glucose level, which reflects your blood sugar at the moment of the test, and sometimes a hemoglobin A1c, which provides an average of your blood sugar over the past three months. While both measurements are important, your typical annual lab panel could offer far greater insight if fasting insulin levels were checked regularly.

Fasting insulin can be elevated for up to 13 years before any changes appear in glucose levels. During this time, patients are often reassured that their lab results “look great” and are encouraged to continue their current habits. Many are understandably shocked when they are later diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, even though their routines haven’t changed.

Conventional medicine typically considers a fasting insulin range of 2–20 mIU/mL as normal. In functional medicine, however, a more optimal reference range is under 10 mIU/mL, with an ideal range between 2.6 and 5 mIU/mL. Monitoring fasting insulin regularly can provide an early window into your metabolic health—long before glucose levels begin to rise.

Taking control of your metabolic health starts with knowledge. By including fasting insulin in your annual labs, you gain an early warning system that most people miss—giving you the power to make meaningful lifestyle changes before glucose levels become a problem. Don’t wait for a prediabetes or diabetes diagnosis to take action. Start tracking your fasting insulin today and take charge of your health.

Schedule your discovery call today to begin taking ownership of your metabolic health.