Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required.
- Turnaround: 4-6 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
What This Panel Evaluates
The Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel with Score looks at insulin resistance, a gradual change that can be hard to recognize. It combines two insulin-related measurements with an Insulin Resistance Score. Together, they may help you and your healthcare provider assess whether you could be at risk for prediabetes or diabetes.
Insulin resistance can develop even when glucose and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) look normal. That is why this panel focuses on insulin-related markers rather than glucose measurements. Intact insulin and C-peptide are separate markers, and the score is reported alongside them as its own component.
What's Included in This Panel
Biomarkers Tested (3)
- Insulin, Intact, LC/MS/MS: Measures intact insulin using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
- C-Peptide, LC/MS/MS: Measures C-peptide, a marker distinct from insulin, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.
- Insulin Resistance Score: Reported score that supports the assessment of insulin resistance alongside the other markers.
Benefits
- Focuses on insulin-related markers rather than glucose alone.
- Pairs two LC/MS/MS measurements with a reported Insulin Resistance Score.
- Provides information you can review with your healthcare provider about prediabetes and diabetes risk.
- Looks beyond glucose and HbA1c, which can appear normal in insulin resistance.
- Gives you a focused three-biomarker panel with results delivered online.
Who Is This Panel For?
- You have a family history of diabetes or a history of gestational diabetes mellitus.
- You have hypertension and want insulin-related information.
- You are overweight or obese and want to look at insulin resistance.
- Your glucose and HbA1c have been normal, but you want a closer look.
- You want information to discuss prediabetes or diabetes risk with your provider.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. Do I need to fast or prepare for this panel?
Yes. Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required.
2. How quickly will I get results?
Expect results in 4-6 days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
3. What can this panel tell me?
Each component adds a different perspective. Intact insulin and C-peptide are measured separately, and the Insulin Resistance Score is reported alongside them. Together, they give an insulin-focused view that may help you and your provider discuss risk for prediabetes or diabetes. The panel does not measure glucose or HbA1c, so it is one piece of a larger picture.
4. What factors can affect my results?
Fasting status is the main preparation factor tied to this panel, which is why the fasting requirement is listed as required. Your blood sample is analyzed by LC/MS/MS for intact insulin and C-peptide. Completing the full fast before your draw helps ensure your results reflect the conditions the panel was designed around.
5. How do I interpret results across the panel?
Look at the three results as a set rather than one at a time. Intact insulin and C-peptide are different markers, and neither replaces the other. The Insulin Resistance Score is its own reported component. One normal value does not cancel an abnormal one elsewhere, and one abnormal value does not define the whole panel. Your healthcare provider can interpret the pattern in context.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. What should I do if one or more results are abnormal?
Share the full report with a qualified healthcare provider. An abnormal component is best understood alongside your other panel results and your overall clinical picture. It does not by itself establish a diagnosis or automatically call for treatment. Your provider will decide whether any further evaluation makes sense. Keep any current medications as they are unless your provider tells you otherwise.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required.
