Insulin resistance is a condition where your body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by helping transport carbohydrates into cells. When you develop insulin resistance, you have difficulty getting the carbohydrates (glucose) into your cells, thus your pancreas produces more insulin to compensate for the excessive circulating glucose.
Some common risk factors for insulin resistance include obesity, lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition. It can also be associated with other health conditions like cardiovascular disease and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)1. Insulin resistance can be measured with an A1C score, which is described as your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. It helps assess how well your body is managing glucose and is commonly used to diagnose and monitor prediabetes and diabetes.
Here’s how A1C results are typically interpreted:
- Below 5.7% → Normal blood sugar levels
- 5.7% – 6.4% → Prediabetes (higher risk of developing diabetes)
- 6.5% or higher → Diabetes (consistent high blood sugar levels)
A high A1C score, which indicates elevated blood sugar levels over time, can put significant stress on your pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, the hormone that helps regulate blood(glucose) sugar. When blood sugar remains consistently high, the pancreas has to work overtime to produce more insulin.
Over time, this excessive demand can lead to insulin resistance, meaning your body’s cells don’t respond to insulin as effectively. Eventually, if the pancreas becomes overwhelmed, it may struggle to produce enough insulin, which can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Chronic high blood sugar can also contribute to inflammation and damage to the pancreas, potentially leading to other complications. Keeping A1C levels within a healthy range is crucial for protecting pancreatic function and overall health.