Insulin Response to Glucose Blood Test, 2 Specimens

The insulin response to glucose infusion is useful in evaluating patients with hypoglycemia and suspected insulin-resistance.

Description

Insulin is a peptide hormone that is produced by the pancreas and is used to control the level of glucose in the blood.  Glucose is a blood sugar that is introduced into the body by consuming carbohydrates.  When glucose blood levels increase, insulin is then released from the pancreas into the bloodstream.  The insulin helps to remove the glucose from the blood and put it into fat and tissue cells where it can be stored for energy.

This test will measure insulin response to a regulated dose of glucose, which is given over an established time span.