Insulin

The pancreas produces and stores insulin, the most important hormone regulating blood sugar. Insulin transmits blood glucose, in other words sugar, to the various cells in the body and participates in fat metabolism. The balance of glucose and insulin is vitally important; a severe disruption may even result in death.

Insulin is particularly secreted after eating as the blood contains more glucose. After the glucose has moved from the blood to the cells, the insulin production is reduced. Insulin is secreted as a precursor which releases the C peptide, transforming into the final form of insulin. C peptide levels can also be measured if examining the amount of insulin secretion as the levels of secreted C peptide and insulin are equal.

The word ‘insulin’ is derived from insula, meaning island.

When should insulin be measured?

Insulin can be measured when suspecting that the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin. Ambiguous bouts of low blood sugar or excessive build-up of insulin may be related to the problem.

Excessive and insufficient secretion of insulin may result in the following symptoms:

• sweating
• heart palpitations
• feeling of hunger
• disorientation
• impaired vision
• dizziness
• fainting.

What does an insulin test measure?

The test measures the amount of insulin hormone in the blood. The results indicate whether the insulin levels are normal, insufficient or excessive.