Synonyms: Immunoreactive Insulin

Why It Is Done

Follow up to an abnormal glucose test.
Acute or chronic symptoms of hypoglycemia

Test Overview

Insulin is a hormone that is produced and stored in the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin is vital for the transportation and storage of glucose at the cellular level; it helps regulate blood glucose levels and has a role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

When blood glucose levels rise after a meal, insulin is released to allow glucose to move into tissue cells, especially muscle and adipose (fat) cells, where is it is used for energy production. Insulin then prompts the liver to either store the remaining excess blood glucose as glycogen (for short-term energy storage) and/or to use it to produce fatty acids. These are eventually used by fat cells (adipose tissue) to synthesize triglycerides to form the basis of a longer term, more concentrated form of energy storage.

How To Prepare

No special preparation is necessary.