Collection: Metabolic Health Blood Tests

Insulin resistance occurs when cells stop responding normally to insulin, forcing the pancreas to produce increasingly large amounts to maintain blood sugar control. It is detected through fasting insulin and the HOMA-IR score. Elevated fasting insulin with normal glucose is a common early pattern that standard glucose testing completely misses.

Fasting glucose reflects your blood sugar at a single point in time. HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months by measuring how much glucose has attached to haemoglobin. HbA1c is better for diagnosing diabetes, while fasting insulin and HOMA-IR are more sensitive for detecting early insulin resistance.

Yes, particularly in the early stages. Reducing refined carbohydrates and processed foods, increasing resistance exercise, improving sleep quality, managing stress, and achieving a healthy body weight can normalise metabolic markers within weeks to months.

Corticosteroids, antipsychotics, and some blood pressure medications can elevate blood glucose and impair insulin sensitivity. Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 agonists lower glucose and improve insulin sensitivity. Note any regular medications when reviewing your results with your healthcare provider.