Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What This Test Measures
The Cardio IQ® Insulin Blood Test measures the concentration of insulin in your blood after a period of fasting. Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas that helps transport glucose from your bloodstream into cells for energy use or storage, and it plays a central role in regulating blood sugar after meals.
This is a fasting insulin measurement, meaning your results reflect insulin levels after 10-12 hours without food. Because insulin resistance can cause the pancreas to produce excess insulin, this test is used to help screen for hyperinsulinemia, a state of abnormally elevated insulin levels in the blood.
Benefits
- Provides a fasting measurement of circulating insulin levels
- Helps screen for hyperinsulinemia
- Requires only a single blood draw
- Offers a straightforward at-home ordering process
- Supports conversations with your healthcare provider about insulin levels
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults who want to check their fasting insulin levels
- Those experiencing symptoms associated with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- People with darkened skin patches in the armpit or neck area
- Individuals noticing slow-healing cuts or frequent skin infections
- Those with increased thirst, hunger, or frequent urination
- Anyone wanting to monitor insulin levels alongside their healthcare 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 test?
Yes, this test requires fasting for at least 10-12 hours before your blood draw. Plan to schedule your lab visit for the morning after an overnight fast to meet this requirement accurately.
2. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 3 to 5 days after your sample is processed. Turnaround times may be extended due to weather conditions, holidays, or other laboratory delays.
3. What can my results tell me?
Your fasting insulin value reflects how much insulin was circulating in your blood at the time of collection. This single measurement can help identify elevated insulin levels, which may prompt further conversation with your healthcare provider about hyperinsulinemia.
4. What factors can affect my results?
Fasting duration has a direct effect on insulin measurements, so eating or drinking anything other than water before your draw can alter your results. Timing your fast accurately and following the 10-12 hour requirement helps ensure your result reflects a true fasting state.
5. How do I interpret the results?
Interpreting a fasting insulin result depends on your fasting status at collection, your overall health history, and any symptoms you may be experiencing. An elevated result does not on its own confirm hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, or diabetes, and a result within the expected range does not rule these out. Reviewing your result alongside other clinical information with a healthcare provider offers the most accurate picture.
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 my results are abnormal?
Share your results with a qualified healthcare provider, who can review them alongside your health history and any symptoms you're experiencing. Additional evaluation or testing may be considered based on that discussion, but this test alone does not diagnose hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, or diabetes.
Pre-test preparation
Fasting for at least 10-12 hours is required before your blood draw for this test.
