The term “resistance” might be familiar to you, but what exactly does it mean, and how does it relate to having diabetes?

Understanding insulin

When we eat, the food is broken down into smaller components, which are absorbed into the bloodstream. One of these components is glucose (also known as sugar.) It is taken up into the bloodstream and moved around the body to be used as energy for our muscles and organs.

We need a “key” to unlock the muscles and organs and let the sugar in from the bloodstream. This key is insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas.

When we talk about insulin resistance, what we mean is that the insulin is there, but the “doors” to the muscles and organs won’t respond to the insulin as they should. They resist and stay locked.

This means that the sugar builds up in your bloodstream. In response, your pancreas works harder by making more and more insulin to help keep your blood glucose levels in a healthy range. Over time, your pancreas can get tired of this, and start to produce less and less insulin, leading to increasing blood glucose levels.

Do I have insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance is a key feature of type 2 diabetes and has often been going on in the background for many years before someone is diagnosed. It can also occur in people with type 1 diabetes, however in this case, the pancreas cannot compensate, and the person needs to keep increasing their dose of insulin to keep their blood glucose levels within a healthy range.

Signs of insulin resistance can often be overlooked as they are not dramatic. These include:

• Increased thirst and urination: as your body tries to get rid of excess glucose in your urine, you might notice more frequent trips to the toilet and drinking more to replace it.

• Fatigue: your muscles and organs are crying out for the energy they need, so you’re likely to feel exhausted.

• Skin changes: dark patches, around the neck and armpits especially, can suggest insulin resistance.

What causes insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance can be affected by our genetics, so families with a history of diabetes should be vigilant, but lifestyle factors such as lack of activity, an unhealthy diet or carrying extra weight can also play a part. Some medical conditions, including polycystic ovarian syndrome or obstructive sleep apnoea can also increase your risk of developing insulin resistance.

What can I do about insulin resistance?

Unfortunately, we can’t do much about our genetics, but we can try to make our lifestyle as healthy as possible. Aside from a healthy diet and regular activity, reducing stress and getting enough good-quality sleep can also help. There are also some medications to help people with insulin resistance.

If you’re worried about your risk of developing insulin resistance, have a chat to your GP, who might suggest some tests and recommend treatment options.

For more information contact the Diabetes WA helpline on 1300 001 880.