The insulin is produced by the pancreas. This is a special hormone that is responsible for removing excess sugar from the blood. It is this function of it that is widely known. But also insulin performs other, no less significant functions.
Insulin action
Insulin belongs to the category of polypeptide hormones, which are very important for the entire "organic universe" of a person. What functions should he perform?
- It delivers amino acids to working cells. The hormone helps “open” the cell so that it misses glucose - a source of energy.
- Participates in the process of building muscle tissue.
- Thanks to the hormone, potassium and amino acids are also delivered to the cells.
Fluctuations in the level of this polypeptide hormone may be accompanied by headache, spontaneous pain in the gastrointestinal tract, sleeping state and constipation. In case of pancreatic malfunctions, the normal production of insulin is disturbed.
Norm
A low or high level of insulin in the blood is an alarm, you need to understand the reasons in time and take the necessary measures to maintain your health for many years.
The norm of the presence of the hormone in the blood is from 5.5 to 10 μU / ml. This is an average. On an empty stomach, its level is from 3 to 27 mcU / ml. However, in women during pregnancy, the norm of the hormonal level is slightly higher than 6–27 μU / ml. This indicator is also increased in elderly people.
You need to know: insulin levels are measured only on an empty stomach. After eating, its indicator always increases. Such a blood test, when a person ate in the morning, will not be true. After eating, insulin levels rise during adolescence. In childhood, there is no such dependence in the production of the hormone.
Among physicians, it is also recognized that the level of 11.5 μU / ml is already an indicator of the prediabetic state. That is, acquired diabetes develops.
Blood insulin increased
What will happen to human health when insulin is elevated? Blood sugar can only be normal temporarily in such a situation. Eating only carbohydrates leads to the fact that the pancreas needs to keep insulin constantly at a high level. But over time, the tissues become resistant to the hormone, and the gland depletes its resources. Insulin levels begin to fall.
Glucose so far passes into the fatty layers; glycogen (unused energy) is deposited in the liver. Blood sugar does not go beyond the norm immediately, in a week or two. This process is slow. An elevated level of the hormone insulin is just as unfavorable as a decreased one. A person is threatened with such diseases over time:
- coronary artery disease;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- polycystic ovary in women;
- erectile dysfunction in men;
- hypertension (high blood pressure).
If elevated blood insulin is detected, what does it mean? This means that blood clots do not dissolve, blood pressure increases, vascular elasticity is disrupted, and sodium is retained in the kidneys. That is, the health situation is getting worse all the time. According to rough estimates, the risk of myocardial infarction increases in these people almost 2 times.
Signs of an increase in insulin
Detecting insulin resistance is best as early as possible. While the body has not undergone significant pathological processes. To say whether insulin is raised in the blood or not, it’s enough for the doctor to question the person and find out whether such problems bother him:
- chronic fatigue;
- difficulty concentrating;
- high blood pressure;
- weight increases;
- oily skin;
- dandruff,
- seborrhea.
If several of these symptoms are found, then you should immediately take a blood test for glucose. And if from time to time the patient is disturbed by attacks of hypoglycemia (a drop in sugar, moreover, a sharp one), then a special diet is prescribed. The sugar level is then maintained mainly with a glucose solution.
Causes of increased insulin. Insulinoma
It is important to know why blood insulin is elevated. The reasons may be different. For instance:
- prolonged hunger;
- heavy physical exertion;
- pregnancy;
- taking certain medications;
- there is too much glucose-rich food in the diet;
- poor liver function.
However, sometimes the cause is prolonged malnutrition and bringing the nervous system to complete exhaustion. Then you need a long rest and good nutrition so that the hormone level returns to normal.
And also such an anomaly is caused by a neoplasm in the pancreas, which is called insulinoma. In cancer, insulin levels are constantly elevated. As well as other, more significant, painful symptoms accompany insulin.
- Muscle weakness.
- Shiver.
- Visual impairment.
- Speech impairment.
- Strong headache.
- Cramps.
- Hunger and cold sweat.
Symptoms are manifested mainly in the early morning hours. Pancreatic cancer is not treated. A tumor can only be excised and monitored so that secondary tumors do not occur in the brain or liver.
How to lower insulin levels?
But sometimes it happens that elevated glucose is detected in the analysis, while blood insulin is in full compliance with normal indicators. This analysis suggests the onset of diabetes. A sedentary sedentary rhythm of life leads to weight gain and metabolic syndrome. They are called endocrinologists by a set of factors of a prediabetic state.
The body’s non-acceptance of insulin is called insulin resistance. This is the first step to metabolic syndrome. It is this mechanism that starts when too much sweet food is taken, and the body gets used to high levels of insulin. Then, despite the fact that the pancreas produces more polypeptide hormone, glucose is not absorbed by the body as it should. This leads to obesity. But sometimes this is due to the rejection of fructose for hereditary reasons.
To prevent the process of "blocking" insulin, you need to help the body. Glucose must enter the muscles, the metabolism is activated, and the weight returns to normal. At the same time, the level of sex hormones is normalized. That is, you need to go in for sports and switch to healthy food that suits your complexion and lifestyle.
Lowered insulin. Diabetes
Decreased insulin causes blood sugar to rise gradually. Cells cannot process glucose that comes with food. This situation is very dangerous. Rising sugar levels are easy to spot. Symptoms that accompany glucose deficiency include:
- frequent breathing
- visual impairment;
- loss of appetite;
- Vomiting and stomach pain are sometimes disturbing.
A very low level of such an important hormone is characterized by the following factors:
- There is a strong hunger.
- Concerned about unreasonable anxiety.
- I feel thirsty.
- The temperature rises and sweat is released.
Impaired insulin production ultimately leads to type 1 diabetes.
Such diabetes develops in children and young people, often after some illnesses. In this case, it is absolutely necessary to constantly monitor the level of glucose using a glucometer.
Diabetic neuropathy. Consequence of diabetes
Since insulin increases the level of glucose in the blood, the functioning of the nervous system is disrupted over time. After 10-15 years of persistently high blood sugar , diabetic neuropathy begins. It is divided into several types: autonomous, peripheral and focal. Most often, diabetics are accompanied by signs of peripheral neuropathy. They are as follows:
- decreased sensitivity or numbness of the limbs;
- lack of coordination;
- loss of balance;
- tingling, numbness and pain in the limbs (usually in the feet).
To prevent the further development of neuropathy, you need to constantly donate blood for analysis and monitor the level of sugar. Quitting smoking and alcoholic beverages is required.
Of course, the disease also arises for other reasons - injuries, the effects of toxic substances, and other causes. But almost always it is acquired diabetes, which slowly develops and gradually destroys the walls of blood vessels and nerve tissue, is the cause of neuropathy.
Other effects of diabetes are glaucoma and circulatory disorders. Blood circulation decreases until the formation of ulcers on the limbs, followed by amputation.
Diabetes treatment
According to blood tests for sugar, the doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment. In diabetes, the cause of which is insufficient pancreatic secretion (the first type), it is necessary to inject insulin 2 times a day. The doctor also prescribes a diet lacking sucrose, which must be observed steadily throughout life.
Well, diabetes of the second type is a consequence of stress and an incorrect, sedentary lifestyle, most often resulting in increased insulin in the blood. This type is called non-insulin-dependent diabetes, it is treated with certain drugs. It is advisable to find any sport to your liking and give moderate exercise to the muscles. However, the level of insulin also needs to be checked constantly and consult a doctor-endocrinologist.
Nutrition for Diabetics
The foundation for diabetes is diet. It depends on what is the level of insulin. If blood insulin is elevated, the following recommendations should be followed.
- Useful dairy products, but non-greasy.
- Whole grains.
- Low-fat fish.
- Boiled eggs, not more than 3 pcs. for 7 days.
- Meat should be discarded, especially too fat pork.
It is necessary to eat during strictly allotted hours. Then the body in time will produce all the necessary digestive enzymes.
It is also important that the portions are small, but then you need to eat 5 or even 6 times a day.
We know that insulin increases blood sugar, so for those who suffer from an insulin-dependent type of diabetes, the diet is stricter. In such a diet, all calories must be strictly calculated so that insulin is enough to convert each sucrose molecule into energy.
Life without bad habits is the best prevention
In fact, a disease like diabetes is almost untreated. In rare cases, an improvement in the patient's condition can be observed. In the event that he is constantly under the control of physicians.
But most likely, even with constant monitoring of sugar, the disease will progress and result either in a cancerous tumor or in severe obesity, shortness of breath and heart attack.
It is best to go for a walk more often, to protect your nervous system from excessive stress with the help of physical activity and a joyful attitude to life. Moderate nutrition, without excess fat, without fast foods will extend your life and save you from many diseases. Not only from a violation of insulin levels.