Diabetes: Insulin Resistance Syndrome
Introduction
Insulin resistance syndrome is a term used to describe a combination of
medical conditions that have a common link -- an increased risk of premature
heart disease.
The cluster of medical conditions that make up the insulin resistance
syndrome places a person at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and
atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). It is estimated that 70 to 80
million Americans have the combination of diseases caused by insulin resistance
syndrome.
Those diseases are:
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Normally, food is absorbed into the bloodstream in the form of sugars
such as glucose and fats and other basic substances. The increase in glucose in
the bloodstream signals the pancreas (an organ located behind the stomach) to
increase the secretion of a hormone called insulin. This hormone attaches to
cells, removing glucose from the bloodstream so that it can be used for energy.
In insulin resistance, the body's cells have a diminished ability to respond
to the action of the insulin hormone. To compensate for the resistance, the
pancreas secretes more insulin.
People with this syndrome have insulin resistance and high levels of insulin
in the blood as a marker of the disease rather than a cause.
Over time people with insulin resistance can develop high sugars or diabetes
as the high insulin levels can no longer compensate for elevated sugars.
What Are The Components of the Insulin Resistance Syndrome?
- Impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance or type 2
diabetes. This occurs because the pancreas is unable to turn out enough
insulin to overcome the insulin resistance. Blood glucose levels rise and
diabetes is diagnosed.
- High blood pressure. The mechanism is unclear, but studies suggest
that the worse the blood pressure, the worse the insulin resistance.
-
Abnormal cholesterol levels. The typical cholesterol levels of a
person with insulin resistance are low HDL, or good cholesterol, and high
levels of another blood fat called triglyceride.
- Heart disease. The insulin resistance syndrome can result in
atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and an increased risk of blood clots.
- Obesity. A major factor in the development of insulin resistance
syndrome is obesity especially abdominal obesity. Obesity promotes insulin
resistance and negatively impacts insulin responsiveness in a person. Weight
loss can improve the body's ability to recognize and use insulin
appropriately.
- Kidney damage. Protein in the urine is a sign that kidney damage
has occurred, although not everyone uses this component to define the
insulin resistant syndrome.
How Is Insulin Resistance Syndrome Diagnosed?
There is no simple test to diagnose the insulin resistance syndrome.
Rather, your doctor may suspect the syndrome if you have the following:
- More than one parent or sibling who has type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or
cardiovascular disease
- Obesity or overweight (BMI - body mass index- above 25)
- More fat around the waist than around the hips (an apple shape)
- Age greater than 40 years
- Gestational diabetes when pregnant
- A history of a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Pre-diabetes
- Are a member of certain ethnic groups (Latino, Blacks, Native American)
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