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Insulin Resistance

What is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance is a condition in which insulin produced by the pancreas to keep blood sugar levels steady becomes less and less effective in certain parts of the body, which are less sensitive to the insulin produced. This leads the pancreas to over compensate by producing more and more insulin to try and correct this. These higher levels then affect other systems which have kept their sensitivity to insulin. Areas most sensitive to high levels of insulin vary between individuals and according to genetic makeup.

What are the most common areas sensitive to high levels of insulin?

  • Body fat cells
  • The male and female reproductive glands
  • The hair follicle (male and female)
  • Areas known to require a high level of protein synthesis (mainly hormone secreting glands e.g. thyroid, adrenal, pituitary etc)
  • The liver and cells known to produce clotting factors

What are the symptoms of Insulin Resistance?

  • Central abdominal weight gain (even if slim)
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Carbohydrate Cravings
  • Dizzy episodes
  • Facial spots
  • Increased body hair
  • Reduced scalp hair

What are the affects of Insulin Resistance?

Insulin also has a profound effect on the cardiovascular system. This works on both:

  • The artery wall – preventing the ability to contract and relax, making the vessels stiff and small and prone to damage from blood being forced through.
  • Cholesterol clearance from the blood stream. This effect can lead to higher levels of circulating cholesterol and an increased risk of furring up of arteries. This in turn results in reduced blood supplying the:
    • Heart
    • Brain
    • Kidneys
    • Eyes
    • Peripheries and other vital organs

In the long term, increased outpouring of insulin results in eventual ‘pancreatic exhaustion’ and a higher risk of diabetes. There is evidence that insulin resistance and high levels of insulin can affect the metabolic processes in many parts of the human body.

At the Surrey Park Clinic, we specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of Insulin Resistance and offer effective treatments to help stabilise blood glucose levels. Please call 01483 454016 to arrange your consultation.

What treatment is available for Insulin Resistance?

Up until recently insulin resistance has been poorly understood, but increasing interest and research shows that the diagnosis and early treatment or improvement of insulin resistance has huge benefit, both in the short term for the treatment of symptoms, and in the long term for prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

What is Insulin Resistance Screening?

At the Surrey Park Clinic we will perform tests to determine if and to what extent you are affected. We can advise on treatments from lifestyle and dietary advice to medication such as Metformin Glucophage to help control blood glucose levels.

Related topics Blood Tests, Dietary Advice