Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It affects the metabolic processes in the body, and in all organs and tissues. One of its main tasks is to control the level of glucose in the blood. In violation of the production of insulin, a pathology appears - diabetes mellitus. Knowing the indicators of the norm of insulin, a person can control his condition.
Features of the hormone
In a he althy body, glucose is absorbed by muscle and fat cells, and the formation of new glucose elements in the liver stops. The hormone also affects the formation of glycogen stores in the cells of the body, helps to save energy, store it in the form of fats. To control all these processes, it is necessary to maintain the norm of insulin in the body.
If the function of the pancreas is not impaired, then it produces the amount of insulin that is necessary for the stable functioning of the whole organism. After a meal, insulin levels are normally elevated, but are not considereda pathological condition, because this reaction occurs to the intake of nutrients that need to be processed and taken away from them what is needed for the normal functioning of the whole organism. Increasing insulin production is a necessary process to produce the amount of hormone needed to process carbohydrates.
When there is not enough insulin produced, type 1 diabetes occurs. With this disease, the destruction of the beta cells of the gland, in which insulin is produced, occurs. As a result, the body cannot properly assimilate incoming carbohydrates. To keep the body working, a person needs to receive insulin from the outside.
If the level of insulin is normal, but its quality is disturbed, then type 2 diabetes occurs. With this disease, the interaction of the hormone with the cells of the body does not occur. In the case of this violation, drugs are used to help awaken insulin to a normal response.
Advanced Level
If insulin is normal in the blood, then the body will work stably, without failures. But if the level is elevated, then this can indicate a variety of diseases:
- Insulinoma. Pathology is characterized by uncontrolled production of the hormone. Due to the neoplasm, the level of the hormone rises, and the fasting glucose content is reduced. To diagnose the disease, the ratio of glucose and insulin is calculated using certain formulas.
- The initial stage of non-insulin dependent diabetes. Later, the sugar level begins to rise, andthe amount of insulin - to fall.
- Obesity. Initially, the cause of obesity is not a violation of insulin levels. After a problem occurs, appetite begins to increase, insulin levels increase. Large portions of food become the norm, there is an increase in appetite, and food turns into fat.
- Liver disease.
- Acromegaly.
- Muscular dystrophy and other pathologies.
Knowledge is important
To maintain your he alth, you should know what is the rate of insulin in the blood of women and men. But before judging a possible pathology, it is necessary to monitor the behavior of the hormone and evaluate its relationship to glucose.
For this purpose, a glucose test is carried out, which stimulates the production of insulin. It allows you to identify latent diabetes mellitus, impaired hormone production by pancreatic beta cells.
For diagnosis, a provocative test or the fight against hunger is used. Its essence is to determine the indicators of glucose and insulin on an empty stomach. After that, the patient is limited in taking water and food. During restrictions, studies of insulin and glucose indicators are carried out.
Testing
Insulin content is determined in serum or plasma. After blood sampling, immediately proceed to the study. Before donating blood for analysis, it is necessary to prepare the body for this procedure.
The reaction of the pancreas to food, drinks, under load is always the same -hormone production increases. Because of this, the last meal should be no later than twelve hours before the test.
One hour before blood sampling, stop drinking. This time should be spent in peace.
Norm in women
In men and women, the insulin norm is almost the same by age, although there are slight deviations that occur in different situations.
When the body's glucose level rises, active production of insulin begins. The same surges are observed during puberty, in old age, during pregnancy.
Insulin rates for women are as follows:
- Women aged 25 to 50 - 3-25 mcd/l.
- During pregnancy - 6-27 mcd/l.
- Women over 60 - 6-35 mcd/l.
With age, there is an increase in the rate of insulin in the blood.
Norm for men
In the stronger sex, with age, changes in insulin norms also occur. The level is increased in older men, but this is not considered a pathology. Otherwise, the doctor may assume a violation of the functioning of the pancreas.
Normally, in men aged 25 to 50 years, the insulin level should be from 3 to 25 mcd / l, at an older age - from 6 to 35 mcd / l. The body of older people needs additional energy, so after the age of sixty, a large amount of insulin is produced, sometimes figures are higher than 35 mcd / l.
Norm in children
In a specialcategory includes children, adolescents. They do not need additional energy, so their insulin production is below the adult norm. During puberty, the indicators change dramatically. Against the background of a general hormonal surge, the norm indicators become higher than in adults.
Normally, in children under 14 years of age, insulin in the blood contains from 3 to 20 mcd / l, and at the age of 14 to 25 years - 6-25 mcd / l.
When the hormone level fluctuates within the normal range, it is considered that a person is he althy. If the level of the hormone is higher than these indicators, the development of pathologies of the upper respiratory tract and other changes is observed. These processes are not reversible.
The level of a substance can be affected not only by the pathology of the pancreas, but also by stress, physical overstrain. With low levels, the body tries to tell about overwork. Both cases can also indicate diabetes.
How to find out the level
An analysis is needed to determine the level of insulin. There are two ways to determine the indicator: using test strips and donating blood. In the first case, the results are obtained immediately. But not only these two methods are used to make a diagnosis, but other laboratory and instrumental methods of examination are also prescribed.
Norm under load
To determine the rate of insulin production, its quantity and quality, a test is carried out to determine after an insulin load. Preparation for testing is reduced to the rejection ofeating, drinking eight hours before the analysis. You should also refrain from smoking, alcohol, physical activity.
The test involves the introduction of glucose into the patient's body orally. Adults are given to drink 75 ml of the substance, and children - 50 ml. After taking the solution inside, the processes of insulin production are activated in the body. The action of the latter is aimed at neutralizing the incoming glucose. Blood is taken two hours after taking glucose. During this period, you can not smoke, drink, eat.
The following indicators are considered the norm for testing: for adults - 13-17 mcd / l, for children under 14 years old - 10-11 mcd / l. In some cases, a second test is carried out.
Those who have high insulin levels in the blood, but are not considered a pathology, the hormone is not produced correctly or it is of poor quality, it is necessary to follow a diet low in carbohydrates. To do this, you should abandon the muffin, focus on cereals, vegetables and fruits, tea, compotes. Reduce the amount of sweets as much as possible, replacing it with dried fruits and fruits. From meat, preference should be given to low-fat varieties, chicken. By following the diet, you can maintain normal hormone levels for many years.
