Insulin Suppression Test (IST)
The insulin suppression test measures how well the body answers insulin. It holds insulin at a set level, then measures the blood sugar that settles. A high settled glucose means the body resists insulin.
Fasting numbers only hint at insulin resistance. This test measures it. In 69 women with PCOS, now also named PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome), the test found three groups with different degrees of resistance rather than one.1 Precision like that gives treatment a target.
Men belong in this picture too. Among 141 men studied for suspected insulin resistance, low testosterone was about twice as common in those who were resistant.2 Treating the couple means measuring both partners.
Cited in this entry
- Vigil P, Contreras P, Alvarado JL, Godoy A, Salgado AM, Cortés ME. Evidence of subpopulations with different levels of insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Human Reproduction (Oxford, England). 2007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17895281/
- Contreras PH, Serrano FG, Salgado AM, Vigil P. Insulin Sensitivity and Testicular Function in a Cohort of Adult Males Suspected of Being Insulin-Resistant. Frontiers in Medicine. 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29998109/
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult an RRM clinician or healthcare provider for guidance specific to your situation.
