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What is the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At August 10, 2018
Reviewed AtAugust 10, 2018

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have high sugar level in mornings around 140 plus and at night it is normal around 100. I am overweight rather obese and trying to lose weight. Now, I want to know whether I have insulin resistance or diabetes? I mean what is the difference? Can I get insulin test also?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Insulin resistance is a pre-condition towards diabetes. According to American heart association, there are criteria to decide pre-diabetic or diabetic.

I would advise you to see a physician and get tested.

It is a well-appreciated thought of losing weight, hope you stick with it and also control diet.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Investigations to be done

Preventive measures

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

But what is the difference between being insulin resistant and being diabetic?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Insulin resistance is one of the predisposing factors for diabetes.

Diabetes is a multifactorial disease. People who are obese and with a high content of adipose tissue will prevent usage of glucose and interacts with insulin-mediated glucose uptake by body organs which leads to insulin resistance. This in future can lead to diabetes.

So, it is advisable to lose weight and do physical activity on regular basis.

Hope you understand the difference now.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

You mean insulin resistance means the body is producing too much insulin? And diabetic means body stopped producing insulin? Can insulin test determine the difference?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

In insulin resistance, the insulin levels will not increase. For example, in a normal person, 80 g/dl of sugar is maintained by X level of insulin. In insulin resistance, the level will be X only, but sugars will be more than 80 which is predisposing to diabetes.

In diabetes, insulin levels will be 80. So, doing insulin levels will not help in insulin resistance. There are certain conditions which require testing insulin levels but not routinely for insulin resistance.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Normally, my sugar levels are 100 to 120 in evenings at 8 to 9 PM. Today, I had some chips and sugar biscuits and my sugar after one hour of eating are 190 to 200. Is it normal?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The sugar levels vary depending upon the food you had.

You can do impaired glucose test (IGT). And also, HbA1c which shows three-month average sugar levels in our body.

If it is abnormal, then we have to diagnose accordingly.

For more information consult an internal medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/internal-medicine-physician

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Shaik Jani Basha
Dr. Shaik Jani Basha

Internal Medicine

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