Quick Facts
- Sample: 0.5 mL serum (blood draw)
- Fasting: 9–12 hours required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Detect insulin resistance before glucose or A1C become abnormal - identify metabolic dysfunction years earlier
- High-precision LC-MS/MS technology - eliminates cross-reactivity issues found in standard immunoassays
- Over 2,000 Quest locations nationwide - convenient blood draw with optional home phlebotomy
- HIPAA-compliant secure portal - download PDF results for your personal health records
- Actionable early intervention - empowers proactive lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes progression
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults with obesity or family history of diabetes seeking early metabolic screening
- Individuals with PCOS, NAFLD, or metabolic syndrome monitoring insulin resistance
- People with normal glucose but unexplained symptoms like fatigue or weight gain
- Fitness enthusiasts tracking metabolic flexibility and longevity markers
- Those monitoring response to diet, exercise, or medications like metformin or GLP-1 agonists
- Anyone with hypertension, elevated triglycerides, or cardiovascular risk factors
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Fast overnight (9-12 hours) and visit any Quest Patient Service Center for blood draw
- Your sample is analyzed using advanced LC-MS/MS technology at Quest's specialized facility
- Receive results in 3-5 business days through secure online portal
FAQ
What exactly does this test measure? It measures intact fasting insulin levels using high-specificity liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the gold standard for insulin analysis.
How is this different from regular insulin tests? Unlike standard immunoassays, LC-MS/MS eliminates antibody cross-reactivity, providing much more accurate results for clinical decision-making.
What if I'm already taking diabetes medication? Continue your usual medications unless your physician advises otherwise. The test can help monitor treatment effectiveness.
Can I drink water while fasting? Yes, water is permitted during the 9-12 hour fasting period. Avoid all food, beverages (except water), and strenuous exercise.
What happens if my insulin is elevated? Elevated fasting insulin suggests insulin resistance. Share results with your healthcare provider to discuss lifestyle interventions or medical treatment options.
Is the Cardio IQ panel worth the extra cost? The full panel includes C-peptide and calculates a proprietary Insulin Resistance Score, providing more comprehensive metabolic assessment for better clinical insights.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Cardio IQ Insulin Blood Test quantitatively measures intact fasting insulin in serum to detect hyperinsulinemia and assess insulin resistance risk. By identifying elevated insulin levels before glucose or hemoglobin A1C become abnormal, this test enables very early recognition of metabolic dysfunction that can progress to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The test uses advanced liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology, which provides superior analytical accuracy compared to traditional immunoassays by eliminating antibody cross-reactivity issues (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2013).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is particularly valuable for adults with metabolic risk factors, including obesity, sedentary lifestyle, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypertension, dyslipidemia, family history of diabetes, or unexplained fatigue and weight gain. Current research shows that 40% of young American adults (ages 18-44) have insulin resistance, making early screening increasingly important (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2021).
The test is also beneficial for individuals monitoring their response to lifestyle interventions, dietary changes, or medications such as metformin or GLP-1 receptor agonists. Health-conscious consumers seeking preventive insights into metabolic flexibility and longevity risk can use this test as part of comprehensive wellness monitoring.
When should I order Cardio IQ Insulin?
Consider ordering this test if you have metabolic risk factors, experience unexplained normal-glucose spikes, or want a baseline metabolic assessment. The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for prediabetes and diabetes risk in adults with risk factors (ADA Standards of Care 2024).
For ongoing monitoring of interventions, repeat testing every 6-12 months is typically appropriate. Given that hyperinsulinemia prevalence increased from 28% to 41% between 1999-2018, proactive screening has become more clinically relevant (NHANES trend analysis 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
Insulin Level: 3–16 µIU/mL
- What it means: Normal insulin sensitivity
- Typical action: Maintain healthy lifestyle
Insulin Level: 16–25 µIU/mL
- What it means: Possible early resistance
- Typical action: Consider lifestyle modifications
Insulin Level: >25 µIU/mL
- What it means: Likely insulin resistance
- Typical action: Consult healthcare provider
If you order the full Cardio IQ Insulin Resistance Panel, you'll also receive a proprietary IR Score: <33 indicates low risk, 33-66 moderate risk, and >66 high likelihood of insulin resistance. Research shows an IR Score >66 has 15.6-fold higher odds of insulin resistance compared to scores <33 (Quest validation study 2018).
Early detection of insulin resistance can help prevent progression to type 2 diabetes, which affects 97.6 million Americans and costs $413 billion annually.
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.
Pre-test preparation
Fast for 9-12 hours before your blood draw, with water permitted throughout the fasting period. Avoid strenuous exercise and alcohol consumption for 24 hours prior to testing. Continue taking your usual medications unless specifically advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.
Schedule your appointment at any of the over 2,000 Quest Patient Service Centers nationwide, or arrange for home phlebotomy service if available in your area. The test requires only 0.5 mL of serum, making it a simple, routine blood draw.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial screening with risk factors: Baseline, then annually
- Monitoring lifestyle interventions: Every 6–12 months
- Following medical treatment: Every 3–6 months initially
- Normal results, low risk: Every 2–3 years
Why early detection matters
Insulin resistance often develops years before blood glucose levels become abnormal, making early detection crucial for preventing progression to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. With 97.6 million Americans having prediabetes and 38% unaware of their condition, proactive screening can identify at-risk individuals when interventions are most effective (CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report 2023).
Early identification enables timely lifestyle modifications—including dietary changes, increased physical activity, and weight management—that can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and associated complications.
Related tests you may consider
Hemoglobin (Hb) A1c Blood Test - Calculates the average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months, making it an ideal diagnostic tool for diabetes management.
Cardio IQ® Lipoprotein Fractionation, Ion Mobility Blood Test - Measures the different types of lipoproteins in the blood and assesses the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Cardio IQ® High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) Blood Test - Predicts the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by measuring the hs-CRP levels in the blood..
