Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular physical activity
- Weight loss
- Stress management
- Adequate sleep
Blutwerte · Marker
Nüchterninsulin
Fasting Insulin · Insulin nüchtern
Stoffwechsel & GlukoseNüchtern erforderlich
- Einheit:
- mIU/L
- Abbreviation
- Insulin fasting
Fasting insulin measures the concentration of insulin in the blood after a fasting period, reflecting pancreatic insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity.
Reference Ranges
Reference
2–25mIU/L
2
10
25
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Optimal
Unit · mIU/LFasting required; ranges may vary by lab and population.
Overview
Übersicht
Fasting insulin, also known as Nüchterninsulin, is a blood biomarker that measures the level of insulin in the blood after a period of fasting, typically 8-12 hours. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood by facilitating cellular uptake of glucose. Researchers have found that fasting insulin levels can provide insights into the body's insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. Clinically, elevated fasting insulin levels are often indicative of insulin resistance, a condition that can precede the development of type 2 diabetes and is associated with metabolic syndrome. Conditions such as obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and depression have been linked to altered fasting insulin levels. In the context of athletic performance and biohacking, maintaining optimal insulin sensitivity is crucial for efficient energy utilization and metabolic flexibility, which are important for endurance and recovery. Longevity research also suggests that lower fasting insulin levels may be associated with reduced risk of age-related diseases. However, several factors can confound fasting insulin measurements, including recent physical activity, stress, and certain medications. It is important to conduct the test in a fasting state to ensure accuracy, and results should be interpreted in conjunction with other metabolic markers such as fasting glucose and HOMA-IR.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated fasting insulin levels indicate insulin resistance, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Low fasting insulin levels may suggest improved insulin sensitivity or, in rare cases, insufficient insulin production.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising fasting insulin suggests worsening insulin resistance. Re-test in 3-6 months if values continue to rise.
Falling Values
Falling values may indicate improved insulin sensitivity or effective intervention.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cushing's syndrome
Cause
Low Levels
- Improved insulin sensitivity
- Hypopituitarism
- Addison's disease
- Insulinoma treatment
- Chronic pancreatitis
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Low glycemic index diet
- High fiber intake
- Balanced macronutrient distribution
Lever
Supplementation
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin D
- Inositol
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplementation, especially if on medication.
Testing Guidelines
🍽️Fasting Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Draw blood in the morning after an overnight fast for consistency.
Testing Frequency
Annually for healthy adults, more frequently if monitoring metabolic conditions.
Interfering Factors
- Recent intense exercise
- Acute stress
- Corticosteroid use
Related Peptides & Hormones
C Peptide
hormone or peptideCorrelated with
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that the relationship between fasting insulin levels and various psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, remains debated, especially regarding reference ranges and the impact of confounding factors like obesity. Researchers have not yet established optimal targets for insulin resistance in different populations, including those with metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovary syndrome. Unanswered clinical questions include the long-term implications of fasting insulin variations on mental health outcomes and the effectiveness of dietary interventions in managing insulin levels.
21 Research Publications
336
Total Citations
12
Human/RCT
1.9
Avg. Influence
2025
Latest
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Filter
01Top
#01
Insulin resistance in depression: A large meta-analysis of metabolic parameters and variation.
Meta-AnalysisInfluence1.0
124
This study examined the relationship between insulin resistance and depression. Researchers found that insulin levels and the HOMA-IR index were increased in individuals experiencing acute depression, while these levels did not change during remission. Additionally, insulin resistance was higher in atypical depression compared to typical depression.
02Top
#02
The effects of obesity on the menstrual cycle.
ReviewInfluence4.0
92
Researchers investigated the impact of obesity on the menstrual cycle in adolescent girls. They found that obesity is linked to earlier onset of puberty and menstrual irregularities, as well as increased fasting insulin levels. The study highlighted the importance of managing menstrual abnormalities in adolescents with obesity to mitigate long-term health risks.
03Top
#03
Serum Thrombospondin-2 Levels Are Closely Associated With the Severity of Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease.
Wu Xuerui, et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2022
HumanInfluence2.0
28
This study explored the association between serum thrombospondin-2 levels and metabolic syndrome severity. Researchers found that higher serum thrombospondin-2 levels were linked to increased fasting insulin and insulin resistance. The findings suggest that thrombospondin-2 could serve as a noninvasive biomarker for identifying at-risk patients with metabolic syndrome.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed that serum thrombospondin-2 levels were significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome compared to those without.
- 02The study found that elevated thrombospondin-2 levels were associated with increased severity of liver inflammation and damage.
- 03Researchers identified that high levels of this protein could help distinguish between benign fatty liver and more serious liver conditions in obese patients.
04
#04
The influence of diabetes and or periodontitis on inflammation and adiponectin level.
Human
23
This study examined the effects of diabetes and periodontitis on inflammation and adiponectin levels. Researchers found that individuals with both conditions had lower adiponectin levels and higher systemic inflammation markers. The findings indicate that chronic hyperglycemia and local inflammation may alter adipocytokine levels.
05
#05
Tirzepatide Improved Markers of Islet Cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity in People With T2D (SURPASS-2).
HumanInfluence3.0
19
In a post hoc analysis of the SURPASS-2 trial, researchers observed that tirzepatide significantly improved markers of insulin sensitivity and β-cell function compared to semaglutide. Specifically, there were greater reductions in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR with tirzepatide treatment. The study highlighted the efficacy of tirzepatide in managing type 2 diabetes.
06
#06
Effects of nutrition on metabolic and endocrine outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
ReviewInfluence1.0
17
This umbrella review summarized the effects of nutritional interventions on women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Researchers found that certain dietary modifications significantly improved fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance. However, there was no high-certainty evidence that diets alone improved health or reproductive outcomes in this population.
07
#07
Effects of physical exercise on body fat and laboratory biomarkers in cancer patients: a meta-analysis of 35 randomized controlled trials.
Meta-AnalysisInfluence1.0
7
This meta-analysis examined the effects of physical exercise on laboratory biomarkers in cancer patients. Researchers found that physical exercise significantly reduced fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance, alongside improvements in body weight and inflammatory markers. The results support the role of exercise in enhancing metabolic health in cancer patients.
08
#08
Proposal for fasting insulin and HOMA-IR reference intervals based on an extensive Brazilian laboratory database.
Human
6
Researchers aimed to establish reference intervals for fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in a Brazilian population. They found that the reference intervals for fasting insulin were 2.52-13.14 μU/mL and for HOMA-IR were 0.39-2.86, applicable to both sexes. This study highlights the importance of accurate reference intervals for diagnosing insulin resistance.
09
#09
Prevalence and Predictive Clinical Characteristics of Metabolically Healthy Obesity in Obese Children and Adolescents.
Human
6
Researchers investigated the prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity in obese children and adolescents. The study found that 34.1% of participants exhibited the metabolically healthy phenotype, which was associated with lower insulin resistance and better metabolic indicators. This highlights the complexity of obesity and its metabolic implications in pediatric populations.
10
#10
Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance and Their Performance as Predictors of Treatment Response in Overweight Adults.
Brogan Robert J, et al. · The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2025
Human
4
Researchers evaluated the performance of clinical and metabolomic biomarkers for predicting insulin resistance following lifestyle interventions. The study found that while insulin assays accurately quantified levels, they had limited ability to monitor changes in insulin resistance over time. No models successfully predicted treatment responses across the cohorts studied.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed that the choice of insulin assay significantly affects the measurement of fasting insulin levels after treatment.
- 02They found that clinical-metabolomic models had limited ability to classify insulin resistance accurately.
- 03The study revealed that none of the biomarkers were suitable for tracking changes in insulin resistance over time.
Publication Trend
Research publications about Nüchterninsulin over time
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