December 12, 2022

10 Signs of Insulin Resistance and What They May Mean

Insulin resistance can develop gradually, often without causing obvious symptoms. Many people do not realize they may have it until routine bloodwork reveals elevated blood sugar or another metabolic concern.

Understanding the possible signs of insulin resistance can help you determine when to speak with a qualified medical provider. However, symptoms alone cannot confirm insulin resistance. Many of the signs discussed below can have other causes, making an individualized medical evaluation important.

What Is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It helps glucose move from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used for energy.

Insulin resistance occurs when these cells do not respond to insulin as effectively as they should. The pancreas may initially compensate by producing more insulin. Over time, however, it may become harder for the body to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.

Insulin resistance is not the same as diabetes, but it can increase the risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. It may also occur alongside weight-management difficulties, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and other metabolic concerns.

For more information about the condition, its potential effects, and available care, visit our insulin resistance condition page.

Can You Have Insulin Resistance Without Symptoms?

Yes. Insulin resistance and prediabetes frequently cause no noticeable symptoms. Routine health screenings and a review of individual risk factors can therefore be important.

When signs do occur, they may be related to elevated blood sugar or health conditions commonly associated with insulin resistance. The following signs do not prove that someone has insulin resistance, but they may justify a conversation with a medical provider.

1. Elevated Blood Sugar

Elevated blood glucose is one of the most important possible warning signs.

As cells become less responsive to insulin, glucose may begin accumulating in the bloodstream. Blood sugar can rise above the normal range without immediately reaching the diagnostic threshold for diabetes. This stage is commonly called prediabetes.

Because mild elevations may not make you feel different, blood testing is often the only way to recognize the problem.

2. Increased Thirst

Feeling thirstier than usual can occur when blood glucose becomes elevated. The body may attempt to remove excess glucose through urine, increasing fluid loss and the need to drink.

Temporary thirst may be caused by exercise, warm weather, salty foods, or dehydration. Persistent or unexplained thirst should be discussed with a primary care provider, particularly when it occurs with frequent urination.

3. Frequent Urination

Urinating more frequently can be a sign that blood sugar has become elevated. When the kidneys cannot reabsorb all the glucose in the blood, some glucose may pass into the urine and draw additional water with it.

Frequent urination has many possible causes, including increased fluid intake, pregnancy, certain medications, urinary conditions, and other health concerns. A medical evaluation may be necessary to determine the cause.

4. Unexplained Fatigue

Fatigue is common and does not automatically indicate insulin resistance. Poor sleep, stress, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, medications, and many medical conditions can affect energy levels.

Persistent fatigue, especially when accompanied by other metabolic risk factors or signs of elevated blood sugar, may be worth evaluating. Changes in the way the body processes and uses glucose may contribute to low energy in some people.

5. Increased Hunger

Some people with elevated blood sugar report feeling unusually hungry, even after eating. Although glucose may be present in the bloodstream, the body may have difficulty moving and using it effectively.

Increased hunger can have many explanations and cannot diagnose insulin resistance. A medical provider can assess it in the context of eating patterns, medications, sleep, activity level, medical history, and laboratory results.

6. Darkened, Thickened Areas of Skin

Acanthosis nigricans causes areas of skin to become darker, thicker, or velvety. It commonly appears around the neck, underarms, groin, or other skin folds.

This skin change can be associated with insulin resistance, although it can have other causes. New or unexplained changes in skin color or texture should be evaluated by an appropriate medical provider.

7. Skin Tags

Skin tags are small, soft growths that frequently appear on the neck, underarms, eyelids, or other areas where skin rubs together. They are common and are usually harmless.

Having skin tags does not mean that you have insulin resistance. However, numerous skin tags, especially when they appear alongside acanthosis nigricans or other metabolic risk factors, may prompt a provider to consider further evaluation.

8. Difficulty Managing Weight

Insulin resistance may make weight management more complicated for some people, but it is rarely the only factor involved.

Weight is influenced by nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, medications, hormonal conditions, genetics, age, and other health factors. Carrying more fat around the abdomen is also associated with a higher risk of insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Body size alone cannot determine metabolic health. Insulin resistance can affect people at different weights, so a complete evaluation is more useful than relying on weight alone.

9. High Blood Pressure or Unhealthy Blood Lipids

Insulin resistance may occur as part of a cluster of health concerns known as metabolic syndrome. These concerns may include:

• Elevated blood pressure
• High triglycerides
• Low HDL cholesterol
• Elevated blood sugar
• Increased abdominal fat

Most of these changes cannot be identified by symptoms alone. Routine blood pressure checks and laboratory testing can be especially important for people with additional risk factors.

10. Signs Associated With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal and metabolic condition frequently associated with insulin resistance.

Possible signs of PCOS include irregular menstrual periods, acne, increased facial or body hair, thinning scalp hair, and difficulty becoming pregnant. Not everyone with PCOS experiences the same symptoms, and these concerns can have other causes.

Anyone experiencing possible signs of PCOS should speak with a primary care provider, gynecologist, or other qualified medical professional for an appropriate evaluation.

What Causes Insulin Resistance?

Researchers do not completely understand every cause of insulin resistance. The condition usually develops through a combination of genetic, metabolic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Factors associated with a higher risk may include:

• A family history of type 2 diabetes
• Prediabetes
• Overweight or obesity, particularly excess abdominal fat
• Limited physical activity
• A history of gestational diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Sleep disorders or consistently inadequate sleep
• Certain medications or hormonal conditions
• Increasing age, although insulin resistance can affect younger people

Having one or more risk factors does not guarantee that you will develop insulin resistance. Similarly, not having an obvious risk factor does not completely rule it out.

How Is Insulin Resistance Evaluated?

There is no single routine test used in every patient to diagnose insulin resistance directly. A medical provider may instead evaluate your health history, symptoms, risk factors, physical findings, and laboratory results.

Testing may include blood glucose measurements used to identify prediabetes or diabetes, such as:

• A1C test: Estimates average blood glucose over approximately two to three months.
• Fasting plasma glucose test: Measures blood glucose after a period without food.

A provider may also review blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, liver health, waist circumference, medications, and other relevant factors. The appropriate evaluation depends on the individual.

Patients experiencing symptoms of diabetes or significant blood sugar changes should contact their primary care provider or endocrinologist for diagnosis and ongoing diabetes care.

Can Insulin Resistance Be Improved?

Insulin sensitivity may improve when contributing factors are addressed. Depending on a person’s medical needs, a care plan may include balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, weight management when appropriate, adequate sleep, and management of related health conditions.

Some patients may also benefit from medication. Medication decisions should be based on medical history, laboratory findings, treatment goals, possible side effects, and the conditions being treated.

Avoid starting supplements or changing prescribed medications based only on symptoms or information found online. Patients who have diabetes should not stop or adjust diabetes medications without guidance from the clinician managing their condition.

How MD Wellness Center and Med Spa Can Help

MD Wellness Center and Med Spa is not a primary care practice and does not replace care from a primary care provider or endocrinologist.

Our role is to evaluate and address insulin resistance and related metabolic concerns when they affect a patient’s weight, health goals, or progress within a medically supervised weight-loss program. Care is individualized and may include a review of medical history, symptoms, relevant laboratory results, lifestyle factors, and weight-management needs.

When appropriate, we may recommend that patients obtain additional testing or ongoing care from their primary care provider, endocrinologist, or another specialist. Patients with diabetes should continue receiving routine diabetes care from the provider responsible for managing that condition.

When Should You Speak With a Medical Provider?

Consider speaking with a qualified medical provider if you:

• Have elevated blood sugar or a previous prediabetes result
• Experience persistent thirst or frequent urination
• Notice darkened, thickened areas of skin
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Have PCOS or a history of gestational diabetes
• Have high blood pressure or unhealthy cholesterol levels
• Are concerned about several possible signs of insulin resistance
• Are struggling with weight despite consistent efforts

Seek prompt medical attention for severe symptoms such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, confusion, severe weakness, or signs of significant dehydration.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Metabolic Health

If insulin resistance or another metabolic concern may be making weight management more difficult, learn more about insulin resistance and available care options at MD Wellness Center and Med Spa.

We address insulin resistance and related metabolic factors when they affect a patient’s weight and progress within our medically supervised weight-loss program. Our services complement—not replace—primary care or specialized diabetes care. Patients with diabetes should continue working with their primary care provider or endocrinologist.

Call (317) 548-4666, email contact@mytrimmd.com, or book an appointment online to schedule a personalized weight-management consultation.

MD Wellness Center and Med Spa provides weight-management and metabolic-health services and is not a substitute for primary care or specialized diabetes care. Patients with diabetes should continue routine care with their primary care provider or endocrinologist. This article is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.