INSULIN, PP

This test measures the amount of insulin in your blood. Insulin is a hormone that helps move blood sugar, known as glucose, from your bloodstream into your cells. Glucose comes from the foods you eat and drink. It is your body’s main source of energy.

Insulin plays a key role in keeping glucose at the right levels. If glucose levels are too high or too low, it can cause serious health problems. Glucose levels that are not normal are known as:

• Hyperglycemia, blood glucose levels that are too high. It happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin. If there’s not enough insulin, glucose can’t get into your cells. It stays in the bloodstream instead.
• Hypoglycemia, blood glucose levels that are too low. If your body sends too much insulin into the blood, too much glucose will go into your cells. This leaves less in the bloodstream.