Metabolic Health

Here’s Why You Need These 7 Tests for Blood Sugar and Insulin Ailments.

An overview of essential tests to monitor glucose and insulin to lower the risks of metabolic disorders, especially diabetes

Diabetes is a critical condition, affecting 442 million people globally. As informed by CDC, over 37 million US adults have diabetes as the seventh leading cause of death. 20% don’t know they have it. Diabetes is the №1 cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, and adult blindness.

In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled. As documented by WHO, “obesity is one of today’s most blatantly visible — yet most neglected — public health problems. It has nearly tripled since 1975. Almost two billion people are overweight.”

I have written numerous articles about diabetes, metabolic disorders, obesity, and insulin resistance. Unfortunately, some readers of my articles are either suffering from these conditions or concerned that they might be prediabetic, given the millions of undiagnosed cases worldwide.

Diabetes is prevalent in my family, with several younger relatives suffering. In my mid-20s, I was also prediabetic due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. excessive emotional stress, and carbohydrate intolerance. Fortunately, my condition was detected early, allowing me to make significant lifestyle changes to reverse my condition and avoid disease risks.

Many of my readers have shown interest in taking a proactive approach and knowing the type of tests they need to discuss with their physicians. While most caring doctors add relevant glucose and insulin tests as a precaution or notice symptoms, some people may not see doctors for several years unless they face an emergency.

In my experience, one of my caring family doctors identified my condition early through regular tests, allowing me to gain insights into it and solve my problem with professional support and healthy lifestyle changes. By taking personal responsibility, I have made my body insulin-sensitive and fat-adapted, giving me sustainable energy, stamina, and a younger look.

This story is not just a theoretical piece; I have used most of the tests I introduce, just like many others in my circles, and have benefited from them.

I wrote this piece because millions don’t know they are prediabetic or have metabolic syndrome. First, I’d like to provide an overview of key concepts so that the tests I introduce make sense to you.

An Overview of Glucose, Insulin, and Diabetes

The bloodstream must have a specific amount of glucose at a given time. For example, according to this source, “four grams of glucose exist in the blood of a person weighing 70 kg. This glucose is critical for normal function in many cell types.”

Every cell in the tissue needs glucose as an energy source. Muscle tissues consume more glucose than others. Excessive glucose is turned into fat molecules leading to the accumulation of visceral fat.

The body has a built-in and tight regulation for glucose management. The liver, with help from other organs such as the pancreas, is the main organ orchestrating the sugar between the bloodstream and cells.

The body needs a delicate balance for blood sugar. Too much or too little can disrupt the body’s homeostasis and cause severe health issues such as type II diabetes leading to other metabolic diseases and even affecting our neurological and mental health.

Blood glucose management is not a trivial matter. Therefore, managing blood glucose levels and metabolic hormones like insulin, glucagon, and adiponectin is necessary to stay healthy and enjoy life.

Diabetes refers to conditions of the body not producing sufficient insulin or being unable to use it efficiently. Insulin imbalance in the body can adversely affect all cells, tissues, organs, and systems.

As I documented in previous articles, insulin is a hormone that moves excess sugar from the bloodstream to cells. If the condition is not treated (for example, blood sugar stays in the bloodstream for a long time), it might lead to heart disease, kidney disorders, and vision loss.

Diabetes is classified under four conditions: prediabetes, type II diabetes, Gestational diabetes, and type I diabetes. Metabolic disorders cause the first three. Type I is an autoimmune condition that the body cannot produce insulin and usually happens in younger years. Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy.

The following tests cover diagnosing all types of diabetes (type 1, 2, gestational diabetes) or as an indicator of metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, causing issues to millions of people globally.

Here are seven helpful tests to diagnose diabetes and associated disorders timely and monitor them.

I specifically use the term “timely” as an earlier diagnosis of blood sugar and insulin issues can prevent the formation of full diabetes and lower the risks of associated disorders. As these tests are comprehensive, I provide only key points substantiated by credible sources.

1 — HbA1c — Glycated Hemoglobin

HbA1c is a blood test measuring the average blood sugar level over the past few months. Physicians use this as an essential tool for diagnosing, monitoring, and managing diabetes.

When glucose enters the bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin which I introduced in a previous article. In short, hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to other cells, tissues, and organs.

The binding of sugar to hemoglobin is called glycation, forming glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The level of HbA1c in the bloodstream indicates the average blood sugar level over the lifespan of a red blood cell. Literature suggests that the lifespan of red blood cells is around four months.

According to CDC, “an A1C below 5.7% is normal, between 5.7 and 6.4% indicates prediabetes, and 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.”

So testing HbA1c is a good indicator of blood sugar in the body to detect anomalies for diabetes diagnosis and also a helpful tool for physicians to monitor and treat their patients.

2 — FPG — Fasting Plasma Glucose

FPG tests measure the amount of glucose in the blood after an overnight fast. According to this lab, twelve hours is the optimal fasting period. Fasting longer than the recommended time might compromise test results.

According to CDC, “a fasting blood sugar level of 99 mg/dL or lower is normal, 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.”

Physicians use FPG tests alongside HbA1c to confirm the diabetes diagnosis, monitor blood sugar control for their diabetic patients, or use them as an indicator for their treatment.

3 — OGTT — Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

OGTT measures blood sugar before and after a patient drinks sugar-containing liquids. According to Mayo Clinic, “you’ll consume about eight ounces (237 milliliters) of a glucose solution containing 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of sugar.”

The test is conducted in one, two, and three hours. The purpose of OGTT is to detect abnormalities in how the body handles glucose after a meal before fasting blood glucose level becomes abnormal.

According to CDC, “at 2 hours, a blood sugar level of 140 mg/dL or lower is considered normal, 140 to 199 mg/dL indicates prediabetes, and 200 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.”

4 —RPG — Random Plasma Glucose Test

Random blood sugar tests (RPG) measure the amount of glucose in the bloodstream when the patient is tested. This test does not require fasting.

While physicians or caregivers can do this test, you can also do it at home with devices, as I introduced in a story titled Understand Blood Glucose Levels, Learn to Measure & Monitor Them to Lower the Risks of Diabetes.

RPG tests are flexible and practical, but they are less reliable than HbA1c or FPG for monitoring blood sugar control over time. According to CDC, “a blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher indicates you have diabetes.”

5 — CGM — Continuous Glucose Monitoring

CGM tests require wearing a device that measures blood glucose levels continuously during the day and night.

According to NIH, “a CGM works through a tiny sensor inserted under your skin, usually on your belly or arm. The sensor measures your interstitial glucose level, the glucose found in the fluid between the cells. The sensor tests glucose every few minutes. A transmitter wirelessly sends the information to a monitor.”

This test is helpful for high-risk patients as they can see and review how their glucose levels change and understand trends. Seeing glucose levels in real-time can help patients make informed daily decisions about balancing their food, physical activity, and medicines.

NIH informs that “CGMs are approved for use by adults and children with a doctor’s prescription. Most people who use CGMs have type 1 diabetes. Research is underway to learn how CGMs might help people with type 2 diabetes.”

6 — Fasting Insulin and Insulin Tolerance Tests

In addition to the above glucose tests, physicians use fasting insulin to detect abnormalities of this hormone in the bloodstream and diagnose various metabolic, autoimmune, and endocrine disorders.

For example, fasting insulin level can be used to diagnose hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, insulinoma (pancreas tumor), pancreatitis, and Cushing’s syndrome (a disorder of adrenal glands). You can learn about endocrine glands in this article.

According to MedlinePlus, “if insulin levels are too high, they indicate Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, insulinoma, or Cushing’s syndrome. Too low levels indicate Type 1 diabetes, hyperglycemia, or pancreatitis.”

However, I’d like to point out that the literature indicates that hyperglycemia is usually associated with high insulin levels as the pancreas attempts to produce more insulin to compensate for insulin resistance.

Insulin tolerance tests (ITT) measure the body’s response to insulin by administering insulin and monitoring blood sugar levels. ITT is used to diagnose insulinoma and conditions associated with insulin production and regulation.

According to this medical report, “ITT can assess how much ACTH, cortisol and growth hormone is produced when the body is under stress. This ‘stress’ will be induced by injecting a small amount of insulin to cause a lowering of blood glucose, under very controlled conditions.”

7 — C-Peptide Level Tests

These tests have various names in the literature, such as “insulin C-peptide,” “proinsulin C-peptide,” or “connecting peptide insulin.”

Physicians use C-peptide levels to diagnose type I or II diabetes, hypoglycemia, pancreatic cancer, kidney failure, Cushing syndrome, or Addison disease.

According to Cleveland Clinic, “C-peptide is a byproduct the pancreas releases into the body when it makes insulin. The pancreas produces about the same amount of insulin and C-peptide.”

So the level of C-peptide in the blood can indicate how much insulin the body produces. C-peptide levels can also be tested via urine samples.

According to MedlinePlus, “high levels of C-peptides indicate type 2 diabetes, Cushing’s syndrome, insulinoma, kidney failure, or low potassium levels in your blood. Low levels indicate type 1 or 2 diabetes, severe infections, Addison disease, or liver disease.”

Conclusions and Takeaways

Using these seven tests can be a lifesaver for those who live with the risks of glucose and insulin disorders leading to diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancers.

In addition to tests performed by physicians, it can also be helpful to regularly check our blood glucose at home to monitor blood glucose and take appropriate actions to manage them better and lower the risks of associated disorders.

Learning the risks of diabetes can be valuable in preventing other conditions, such as heart disease. According to the British Heart Foundation, the risk factors for type II diabetes are

“Being over the age of 40, South Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or black African background, a close relative has diabetes, overweight or large waist size, high blood pressure, pregnancy or previous gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, schizophrenia, bipolar illness, depression, or taking antipsychotic medication.”

Healthy weight management is one of the best lifestyle contributions to optimize glucose and insulin and lower the risks of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Obesity is one of the root causes of metabolic disorders. As documented by CDC:

“People who have obesity, compared to those with a healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, including mortality, hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, breathing problems, cancers, inflammation, pain, and mental disorders”.

I published an article to melt unwanted belly fat and prevent obesity with lifestyle choices. I also wrote a story on how a single mom reversed her obesity and built a lucrative business. You can find several similar stories in this collection reflecting inspiring cases from my circles.

Here are eight practical tips for maintaining weight management and improving metabolism with healthy lifestyle choices.

1 — Optimize hormones and neurotransmitters with healthy lifestyle choices and seek advice from professionals.

2 — Consume adequate calories and timely burn excessive ones.

3 — Eat nutrient-dense and whole foods food and refrain from empty calories. You may obtain support from qualified dieticians or nutritionists when needed.

4 — Move the body regularly and joyfully and follow a workout regimen.

5 — Get restorative sleep every night, and lower your stress with rest, fun, timely recovery, and mindfulness practices.

6 — Adress chronic inflammation and refrain from toxic materials, pathogens, and some risky molecules.

7 — Try time-restricted eating or long-term fasting to initiate autophagy and mitophagy.

8 — Act mindfully, improve your relationships, and solve emotional problems via guided or self-therapy.

Even though diabetes is chronic and still believed to have no cure, it is possible to reverse symptoms. For example, I documented the case of a mature couple who reversed diabetes and trimmed their bodies with lifestyle habits and professional support.

As I explained in a previous article, sugar is a paradoxical molecule for our bodies. Every cell needs glucose supplied by our bloodstream, but too much or too little can cause severe health issues. Therefore, we must understand this paradox.

Sugar is an important molecule, but there are other molecules and factors which might cause metabolic disorders, as I explained in a story titled Here’s Why Solely Eliminating Sugar Won’t Suffice to Shrink Waistlines or Prevent Obesity.

I wrote an article inviting readers to see the bigger picture of how lifestyle choices can lower the suffering of metabolic disorders like type II diabetes.

As diabetes is a subject close to my heart (some loved ones still suffer from this condition) and I was prediabetic in my younger years, I also posted a follow-up article to prevent diabetes.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

As a new reader, you might check my holistic health and well-being stories reflecting my reviews, observations, and decades of practical experiments optimizing my hormones and neurotransmitters. I write about health as it matters. I believe health is all about homeostasis.

Metabolic Syndrome, Type II Diabetes, Fatty Liver Disease, Heart Disease, Strokes, Obesity, Liver Cancer, Autoimmune Disorders, Homocysteine, Lungs Health, Pancreas Health, Kidneys Health, NCDs, Infectious Diseases, Brain Health, Dementia, Depression, Brain Atrophy, Neonatal Disorders, Skin Health, Dental Health, Bone Health, Leaky Gut, Leaky Brain, Brain Fog, Chronic Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, Elevated Cortisol, Leptin Resistance, Anabolic Resistance, Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Metabolic Disorders, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Thyroid Disorders, Anemia, Dysautonomia, cardiac output, and major disorders.

I also wrote about valuable nutrients. Here are the links for easy access:

Lutein/Zeaxanthin, Phosphatidylserine, Boron, Urolithin, taurine, citrulline malate, biotin, lithium orotate, alpha-lipoic acid, n-acetyl-cysteine, acetyl-l-carnitine, CoQ10, PQQ, NADH, TMG, creatine, choline, digestive enzymes, magnesium, zinc, hydrolyzed collagen, nootropics, pure nicotine, activated charcoal, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, and other nutrients.

Disclaimer: My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experience, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness.

I publish my lifestyle, health, and well-being stories on EUPHORIA. My focus is on cellular, mitochondrial, metabolic, and mental health. Here is my collection of Insightful Life Lessons from Personal Stories.

You might join my six publications on Medium as a writer by sending a request via this link. 19K writers contribute to my publications. You might find more information about my professional background. You may join Medium with my referral link to enjoy unlimited content.