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What does a high insulin count signify?

Prof Dinesh Dhanwal
Prof of Medicine and Head of Endocrinology,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi

Q: I am a 45 years old male suffering from diabetes. My insulin levels are Fasting-44.1 and PP-119.5 ulU/ml. The corresponding Plasma glucose values are Fasting-97 and PP-116 mg/dl. My lipid profile shows total cholesterol-129, HDl-44, LDL-58, triglycerides-120 and VLDL-24 mg/dl. My BP is 120/90 mm of Hg. I get symptoms of hypoglycemia when I don't take food on time. I am a coronary artery disease (CAD) patient and am on medication (Telsartan 40 mg, Atarvostatin 10 mg & Aspirin 50 mg). What do my abnormal insulin values signify? Is it due to my cardiac medication? What is the line of treatment to be adopted and is my LDL level (58 mg/dl) low?

A:Your abnormal insulin level signifies insulin resistance, which means that to keep your blood glucose in normal range, your pancreas is producing more insulin. Hypoglycaemic symptoms are due to this. You should take small and frequent meals to avoid hypoglycaemia. LDL is fine but at this stage you should reduce atorva to 5 mg per day.