Fasting Insulin explained

Insulin lets sugar move from the blood into the body's cells. When the body resists it, the pancreas makes more to keep blood sugar normal, so a high fasting insulin can show insulin resistance years before blood sugar rises. If it's high: Suggests insulin resistance, linked to PCOS, weight gain around the waist and a higher chance of type 2 diabetes.

Fasting: 8 to 12 hours (water is fine). Best time: Morning. Avoid beforehand: Sugary drinks or food before the test.

Commonly: not fasting; excess weight; steroid medicines; diabetes medicines, including insulin. A single result is not a diagnosis. Values are read against the laboratory's own reference range and alongside your history, your symptoms and the rest of the panel — which is why every package includes a doctor to go through them with you.

At Smart Care Polyclinic, 29 Doha Centre, Al Maktoum Rd, Deira, Dubai. It is included in the PCOS Package, the Fertility Assessment Package, the Hormonal Panel — Female, the PCOS Panel, or it can be ordered on its own. Walk in during opening hours or call +971 (0)4 379 3562.