If your answer is “Yes” to any of the questions below, testing for insulin resistance is highly recommended.

  • Are you overweight or do you have a difficult time losing weight?
  • Do you carry weight around your central abdomen?
  • Do you frequently crave carbohydrates and sweets?
  • Were you overweight as a child?
  • Did you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy?
  • Do you have polycystic ovarian syndrome, or suspect that you might (i.e. have irregular periods, carry weight around the middle, and have acne)?
  • Do you feel bloated and sleepy after a high-carbohydrate meal?
  • Do you have High blood pressure?
  • Do you have thinning hair (not explained by low iron or low thyroid function), skin tags, acne and large pores on the face or fatty liver?
  • Do you have a brown to black, poorly defined, velvety hyperpigmentation of the skin (Acanthosis nigricans)? It is usually found in body folds, such as the posterior and lateral folds of the neck, the armpits, groin, navel, forehead, and other areas.
  • Do you look puffier? You can experience fluid retention anywhere on your body, such as your fingers, face, legs, ankles and abdomen.
  • Do you have Elevated uric acid? People who are insulin resistant are sensitive to fructose and convert too much of it into uric acid. Elevated uric acid can raise the risk of gout and kidney stones.