Measuring Insulin Resistance

A discussion of who may want to measure insulin resistance, why it’s important, which test to get done, and what the lab results mean.

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- VIDEO DESCRIPTION
Insulin resistance is a common phenomenon, and not just in people with diabetes or prediabetes. This video discusses reasons for measuring insulin resistance, who should get tested, which lab test makes the most sense, and how lab results can be interpreted.

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- TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
02:01 The relationship between blood glucose and blood insulin levels
05:41 Insulin resistance is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes
10:26 Who should get tested for insulin resistance?
14:16 How do we measure if we are insulin resistant?
20:24 Challenge

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Blood sugar spikes, reactive hypoglycemia, and how to avoid them: an interview with Penny Figtree MD:

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- DISCLAIMER

[nourishedbyscience]

For those of you who have already seen the video on the regulation of blood sugar, there are some redundancies with this video here. My apologies for that. I decided to repeat some of the essential information because it's critical to be clear that insulin resistance is not the same as glucose intolerance, i.e., it is very much possible to have normal blood glucose levels but still be very insulin resistant.

As always, don't hesitate to post questions or requests for future content in the comment section.

Cheers
Mario

[lily]

My father, who suffered from type 2 diabetes for most of his adult life, passed away recently. Officially, it was from multi organ failure, but it all came as a result of diabetes. He also had both legs amputated some years before his death. My dad didn't really take his condition seriously and he paid a dear price for it. I'm really happy that more researchers and doctors are paying more attention to this "silent pandemic" of insulin resistance. So many people are walking around thinking that they are healthy but they aren't. Another thing to add is that my dad was never fat. Thinness doesn't equate to health either. That's why it is so important to go for your checkups and do the blood tests too. Better safe than sorry.

[mukundaks]

Your plain speaking and presentation is excellent
Kindly be doing what you are doing
It will help a great many of the population

[JesseOsby]

FYI for those in the U.S., it is possible to find your HOMA-IR pretty cheaply without a doctor or insurance. There are labs online where you can order a fasting glucose and insulin test. They send you to a local lab for the blood draw. I was just able to order one for only $37 with no prescription or insurance.

From the results, I calculated my score to be 5.8, so I definitely have some work to do. Your videos on reducing IR will be extremely valuable to me, Dr. Kratz, as all your others have been.

[leandrobecker]

I am cardiologist in Brazil. And after I read Dr. Krafts book i started to use insulin and glucose curve in many patients in risk for IR. I also did it in me (normal!). My HOMA IR is 1. Great videos! Very well done. Congratulations for the chanell. I will keep seeing.

[zinnia]

My Dr. Said A1C is only a 10th of a % over into pre diabetes. Not concerned, see ya for your yearly in October. Said nothing about nutrition/diet. I'm so glad I found you.

[supreetaarya]

I think the best content on blood sugar regulation on youtube is on this channel - thanks Dr Mario for sharing evidence based knowledge translatable into practice with us !

[anitahamlin]

You are doing those who listen a great service. It is amazing how humans go through a great deal of trouble to avoid a minimal discomfort in the immediate when that slight discomfort would avoid major discomfort for the long run. I hope your videos help many to decide to do the work.

[Joelina]

I´ve never clicked on a video so fast! 🙂 So helpful and insightful! Dankeschön! :)

[Maak]

Your fastidious care and rigor to your research are evident. It is a pleasure to bask in the knowledge that you spread. More power to you, Super Mario !

[ZohaEnglishLab]

As a Nutritionist, one of the best videos I came across, information so well talked and explained with thorough research, much needed for we Indians to understand this concept Of Insulin Resistance.

[stevenlench]

What an amazing, timely series.Time and time again I tell friends to get their insulin tested only to have their doctors refuse !

[suphesizdogru]

This is my favourite channel. Over the time I've learnt tones of information. A big thank you. I always looking forward to your videos.

[rajg]

This video series has been incredibly helpful and informative. Please keep making content, the quality of the information is excellent. Thank you!

[trend]

Great video, without hype, promoting, or blame, just straight truth! Amazing! I listen this post twice and I’ll do more in the future…Thank you very, very much! Some confession to make: I already “bing watched”trough all your previous videos!

[praguecr-Premium]

excellent video. well presented and not directly or indirectly pushing a million products and services. Very impressed with this doctor.

[blumingwellness]

Just discovered your channel through your interview on Sigma Nutrition. I've been looking for a video like this for years! So clear, concise, precise and MUCH NEEDED! Thank you so much! I will support you and tell my clients about you. ~ Marian Blum

[PeterJames]

Thank you for giving us these videos. Your straight forward explanations make it easy to understand for us lay persons. You are doing a fantastic job!.

[vsnrao]

Thanks for your efforts to bring the attention towards Insulin Resistance, including how doctors will not be of much help in spotting the trend in the beginning stage. Yes, I have been paying for my HOMA test as my insurance would not cover that and any GP would not prescribe it, even when one is diagnosed as diabetic.

Just wanted to add one more popular surrogate measure of Insulin Resistance, that uses Lipid Profile test results, that are usually covered under annual check up -Triglyceride and HDL levels - Triglyceride divided by HDL levels (both are expressed in the same units by a lab, like mg/dl or mmol/l) is a good indicator of Insulin Resistance according to many, including Dr. Benjamin Bikman - any reading more than 2.0 -2.5 (triglyceride level more than 2 times of HDL level), indicates beginning stages of insulin resistance, just like the HOMA test ( but is covered under insurance, though under different context!!). However, for certain ethnicities, this may not be very accurate and threshold also lower for women (>1.75) than men (>2.5) to be tagged as Insulin Resistant. We can also use our previous annual test results to plot our own progression, as all reports would have these two measures available. Just a thought!

[estellesstories]

Excellent, informative video. Thank you for making this information widely available and accessible. Delighted to subscribe to your channel.