Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It affects metabolic processes in the body, and in all organs and tissues. One of its main tasks is to control blood glucose. 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.
Hormone features
In a healthy 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, to accumulate 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 such an amount of insulin that is necessary for the stable operation of the whole organism. After eating, insulin levels are normally elevated, but are not considered a pathological condition, because this reaction occurs on the intake of nutrients that need to be processed and taken from them that is necessary for the normal functioning of the whole organism. Enhancing insulin production is a necessary process to produce the amount of hormone needed to process carbohydrates.
In cases where insulin is not produced enough, type 1 diabetes occurs. With this ailment, the destruction of the beta cells of the gland in which insulin is produced occurs. As a result, the body cannot qualitatively absorb the incoming carbohydrates. To support the body, a person needs to get insulin from the outside.
If the level of insulin is normal, but its quality is impaired, then diabetes of the second type occurs. With this ailment, the hormone does not interact with the cells of the body. In the case of this violation, drugs are used to help awaken insulin to a normal reaction.
Elevated level
If the blood insulin is normal, then the body will work stably, without failures. But if the level is increased, then this can speak of 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 level is reduced. To diagnose an ailment, the ratio of glucose and insulin is calculated according to certain formulas.
- The initial stage of non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Later, the sugar level begins to rise, and the amount of insulin begins 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, an increase in appetite is observed, and food turns into fats.
- Liver disease.
- Acromegaly.
- Muscular dystrophy and other pathologies.
Knowledge is important
To maintain your health, you should know what 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.
To this end, a glucose test is performed to stimulate the production of insulin. It allows you to identify latent diabetes mellitus, hormone production disorders by pancreatic beta cells.
For diagnosis, a provocative test or the fight against hunger is used. Its essence is to measure fasting glucose and insulin. After that, the patient is limited in the intake of water and food. During restrictions, insulin and glucose are tested.
Testing
The insulin content is determined in serum or plasma. After blood sampling, immediately begin the study. Before donating blood for analysis, it is necessary to prepare the body for this procedure.
The reaction of the pancreas to the intake of food, drinks, with loads is always the same - the production of the hormone increases. Because of this, the last meal should be no later than twelve hours before the tests.
An hour before blood sampling should stop drinking. This time should be spent in peace.
Norm in women
In men and women, the insulin norm is almost the same in age, although there are small deviations that occur in different situations.
In those moments when the level of glucose rises in the body, the active production of insulin begins. The same bursts are observed during puberty, in old age, during pregnancy.
The norms of insulin in women are as follows:
- In women aged 25 to 50 years - 3-25 mked / l.
- During pregnancy - 6-27 mked / l.
- Women over 60 years old - 6-35 mked / l.
With age, there is an increase in the norm of insulin in the blood.
Norm in men
In the stronger sex, with age, changes in the indicators of the norm of insulin also occur. Increased levels in older men, but this is not considered a pathology. Otherwise, the doctor may suggest a malfunction of the pancreas.
Normally, in men aged 25 to 50 years, the insulin index should be from 3 to 25 mked / l, at an older age - from 6 to 35 mked / l. The body of the elderly needs additional energy, so after sixty years a large amount of insulin is produced, sometimes indicators above 35 mked / l.
Norm in children
A special category includes children, adolescents. They do not need additional energy, so they have insulin production below the norm of an adult. During puberty, 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 mced / l, and at the age of 14 to 25 years old - 6-25 mced / l.
With fluctuations in hormone levels within normal limits, it is believed that the person is healthy. If the hormone level is higher than these indicators, the development of pathologies of the upper respiratory tract and other changes are observed. These processes are not reversible.
Not only the pathology of the pancreas, but also stresses, physical stress can affect the level of a substance. At low rates, the body is trying to talk about overwork. Both cases can also speak of diabetes.
How to know the level
To determine the level of insulin, an analysis is necessary. There are two ways to determine an indicator: using test strips and giving blood. In the first case, the results are obtained immediately. But for making a diagnosis, not only these two methods are used, but other laboratory and instrumental examination methods are also prescribed.
Load norm
To determine the rate of insulin production, its quantity and quality, a test is carried out to determine after insulin loading. Preparation for testing comes down to refusing to eat or drink eight hours before analysis. You should also refrain from smoking, alcohol, physical activity.
The test involves the administration of glucose into the patient's body by the oral route. Adults are given 75 ml of the substance, and 50 ml for children. After taking the solution inside, the processes of insulin production are activated in the body. The effect 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 normal when testing: for adults - 13-17 mced / l, in children under 14 years old - 10-11 mced / l. In some cases, a second test is performed.
Those who have elevated blood insulin levels but are not considered pathological, have a hormone that is not produced properly or is of poor quality, you must follow a low carbohydrate diet. To do this, abandon the muffin, focus on cereals, vegetables and fruits, tea, compotes. As much as possible to reduce the amount of sweet, replacing it with dried fruits and fruits. From meat, preference should be given to low-fat varieties, chicken. By monitoring the diet, you can maintain the level of the hormone in good condition for many years.