Insulin Resistance
Sample: Serum
Schedule: Daily
Units:
Range: More than 10
Remarks: Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) is thought to be caused by the destruction of the beta-cells of the pancreas by the action of certain autoantibodies of the patient. These autoantibodies are called anti Islet Cells Antibodies (ICA). On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that insulin is the only specific antigen on the beta-cells specific to ICA. In other words, ICA may de definied as auto insulin antibodies, and they effect on the diabetic patient as insulin resistance. Nevertheless, in some papers insulin resistance is definied as the relationship between the glucose concentration and the insulin level in a given moment. As it is described by the autors, insulin resistance is the ratio: Glucose (mg/dL) / Insulin (uIU/mL), and the expected reference value is more than 10, whereas values of less than 5 are considered decreased and between 5 to 10 are suspicious.
Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin dependent): The insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are almost completely demaged and do not produce insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes (Non-insulin dependent): The insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas produce either not enough insulin or the body of the patients becames resistant to the effects of their own insulin.
