Signs and Symptoms of Insulin Resistance
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Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD
Insulin resistance occurs when your body's cells become less sensitive or responsive to insulin—a hormone that your pancreas produces. Insulin plays a crucial role in regulating your blood sugar levels by helping cells absorb glucose (sugar) from the food you eat for energy.
You may develop insulin resistance as a result of having consistently high blood sugar levels. Many people don't realize they have insulin resistance until they take a blood test, especially because symptoms can go unnoticed in the early stages and develop gradually. As insulin resistance progresses, you may start noticing weight gain, frequent urination, and fatigue, among other symptoms. Without proper treatment, insulin resistance may progress to type 2 diabetes.
High Blood Sugar
High blood sugar—medically known as hyperglycemia—refers to high levels of glucose in your blood. This symptom is often one of the first signs of insulin resistance. If your healthcare provider suspects that you are showing signs of high blood sugar or may be at risk of diabetes, they may order a hemoglobin A1C test, which checks for elevated blood sugar levels and measures your average blood sugar levels over the past three months.
An A1C result that is less than 5.7% is considered a normal level. However, having a result between 5.7% and 6.4% can indicate that you are insulin-resistant and have prediabetes—a condition that means you have higher than normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to classify you with type 2 diabetes. However, an A1C result of 6.5% or higher means you have a diagnosis for type 2 diabetes.
High Cholesterol
Insulin plays a role in how your body regulates the usage and storage of fats and cholesterol. A simple blood test can show if you have high cholesterol. Your healthcare provider may suspect insulin resistance if you have a blood test with the following results:
Elevated triglycerides (blood fat)
Increased LDL ("bad") cholesterol
Decreased HDL ("good") cholesterol
Weight Gain
When your body becomes resistant to insulin, it's more difficult for your body to properly use sugar as energy, which can lead to higher glucose levels in your bloodstream. In response to this action, your body produces more insulin to compensate for high blood sugar levels. But this excess insulin production can influence your body to store more fat than normal, especially around the waist. This abdominal weight gain is often associated with insulin resistance.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the hallmark symptoms of insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes. Insulin resistance affects how effectively your cells absorb glucose for energy. As a result, your body struggles to use glucose efficiently, leading to a dip in energy and an increase in fatigue. Additionally, this condition can cause fluctuating changes in your blood sugar levels, which can also contribute to feeling more tired.
Frequent Urination
Frequent urination, or polyuria, is your body's attempt to get rid of excess glucose. Having to use the restroom more often than what is normal for you is a common sign of insulin resistance and prediabetes.
When your glucose levels are high, the kidneys work hard to remove the excess glucose from the blood. Typically, glucose gets filtered out of the bloodstream and into the kidneys and then the kidneys reabsorb the sugar back into the bloodstream.
But, when blood glucose levels are consistently high, your kidneys can't reabsorb all the excess sugar. This excess glucose in the kidneys forces your body to put the sugar into your urine and take water from your body's tissues—which leads to an increase in urine production.
Increased Thirst
Because excess sugar in your bloodstream makes you urinate more often, your body loses more fluids through urine. Peeing more frequently can lead to the loss of water in your body and puts you at risk of dehydration. As a result, it's common for you to feel more thirsty throughout the day, as your body tries to compensate for the lost fluids.
Related: Here's Why Sugar Makes You So Thirsty
Skin Changes
If you develop insulin resistance or prediabetes, certain areas of your skin like the armpits or the back and sides of the neck might start to look darker in color. This condition is called acanthosis nigricans. Alongside darkened skin, these regions of your skin can also develop several small skin growths which are called skin tags.
Tingling at the Bottom of the Feet
Tingling in the feet can often be a symptom of insulin resistance. High blood sugar levels, even if you don't have diabetes, can cause neuropathy—a condition that causes nerve damage. In most cases, nerve damage often begins in the feet and can cause tingling sensations, numbness, or a "pins-and-needles" feeling.
Symptoms in Children
Insulin resistance often doesn't show noticeable symptoms in children. However, in some cases, children might develop patches of thickened, darkened, or velvety skin. These patches typically appear in areas where your body naturally creases, such as the neck and armpits.
If your child has insulin resistance, they may also be at an increased risk of experiencing symptoms of other conditions such as:
High cholesterol
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Staying active and eating nutritious meals is crucial in managing insulin resistance in children.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you suspect you might have insulin resistance or are experiencing symptoms like increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, or unexplained weight gain, it's advisable to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. If you have a family history of diabetes or other related conditions, it might be a good idea to discuss this with your provider as well.
During your appointment, your provider can perform tests to determine if you have insulin resistance and offer guidance on how to manage the condition through lifestyle changes or medications if necessary.
Questions to Ask Your Provider
Before your appointment, it can help to have some questions in mind to ask your provider. Consider the following:
Why am I gaining weight if my diet hasn't changed?
What tests do I need to confirm insulin resistance?
Does insulin resistance always lead to diabetes?
What lifestyle changes do you recommend I make to reverse or improve insulin resistance?
A Quick Review
Insulin resistance often goes unnoticed until symptoms manifest. But as your condition progresses, you might notice symptoms like high blood sugar, fatigue, and unexplained weight changes. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider and get tested. Without proper treatment, insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes and cause other complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reverse symptoms of insulin resistance?
It is possible to reverse insulin resistance through a combination of regular exercise and a nutritious diet. Talk to your healthcare provider about an eating and exercise plan that works right for you. They can also refer you to a nutritionist for more specialized help to improve your symptoms.
What foods should you eat to reduce symptoms of insulin resistance?
Whole grains, lean protein sources, low-fat dairy, and vegetables can all help regulate your blood sugar levels. It can help to be mindful of serving sizes and minimize your intake of sugary treats and fried foods.
Does insulin resistance mean that you have diabetes?
Being insulin-resistant means that your sugar levels are high, but it does not mean that you have diabetes. However, if you have insulin resistance, you are at an increased risk of developing diabetes within the next ten years.
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