What Fasting Insulin tells you
Markers related to how the body manages blood sugar and insulin. They are commonly included in general health reviews and discussed with a clinician alongside other information.
Which Honed panels include Fasting Insulin
Fasting Insulin is measured in the Performance Panel. Every sample is collected at a pathology collection centre and processed at a NATA-accredited laboratory against RCPA reference ranges, with personalised plain-English commentary in your secure online report.
Why Fasting Insulin matters
Fasting insulin is the amount of insulin required to maintain fasting glucose after an overnight fast. It is a sensitive marker of insulin resistance: higher insulin is needed to manage glucose when cells become less sensitive to insulin. Fasting insulin is often considered a more sensitive marker of early metabolic dysfunction than glucose alone, as insulin elevates before glucose does. In athletes, fasting insulin is used to assess metabolic efficiency and recovery capacity.
The range explained
Low levels
Low fasting insulin (below 6 pmol/L) indicates good insulin sensitivity and efficient glucose control.
Normal range
Reference range: 6–48 pmol/L (note: ranges vary by lab). Values in the lower half (6–24 pmol/L) indicate good metabolic health.
High levels
Elevated fasting insulin (above 48 pmol/L) suggests insulin resistance: the pancreas is producing more insulin to maintain glucose homeostasis. This impairs fat loss and recovery.
What affects Fasting Insulin
- Training: Resistance training and HIIT improve insulin sensitivity and lower fasting insulin. Sedentariness worsens insulin resistance.
- Nutrition: Refined carbohydrates and excess sugar increase fasting insulin; fibre, protein, and whole foods improve insulin sensitivity. Body composition (excess fat tissue is insulin resistant) significantly affects fasting insulin.
- Sleep: Sleep deprivation impairs insulin sensitivity and elevates fasting insulin. Sleep is critical for metabolic health.
- Stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which promotes insulin resistance and elevates fasting insulin. Stress management improves insulin sensitivity.
When to retest
Every 12 weeks for those optimizing insulin sensitivity; every 12 months for general health.
Why athletes care
Athletes value low fasting insulin because good insulin sensitivity supports fat loss, recovery, and energy utilization. Elevated fasting insulin indicates metabolic stress.
Related metabolic markers
FAQ
What does the Fasting Insulin blood test measure?
Insulin measured after fasting. It is sometimes reviewed alongside glucose when a clinician is looking at how the body manages blood sugar.
Which Honed Health panels include Fasting Insulin?
Fasting Insulin is included in the Performance panel.
What unit is Fasting Insulin measured in?
Fasting Insulin is reported in pmol/L, measured at NATA-accredited laboratories against RCPA reference ranges, with personalised plain-English commentary in your secure report.