What exactly is Hyperinsulinemia?
Hyperinsulinemia is a medical condition that occurs when the level of insulin in the blood is higher than is expected as normal among nondiabetic patients. It is wrongly confused for type 2 diabetes, and while it is seen in many patients with early stage type 2 diabetes, it is only a symptom and not the cause of the condition.
Hyperinsulinemia is closely associated with hypertension, obesity, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia (abnormal amount of lipids in the blood). These conditions occurring together are collectively known as metabolic syndrome.
Hyperinsulinemia can occur in people of all ages, including neonates and young infants. If a diabetic mother doesn’t properly control her blood glucose levels, this could create a hyperglycemic environment in the fetus. To compensate for this, the insulin-producing cells of the fetus will rapidly divide, leading to increased secretion of insulin to bring down the glucose levels. After birth, the baby’s glucose levels rapidly decrease, as the hyperglycemic maternal blood is not available anymore. Insulin levels are still high, however, and this may result in hypoglycemia. Treating this involves administering a high concentration of glucose to the neonate in order to maintain normal blood glucose. After a day or two, the hyperinsulinemia eventually subsides
Causes
Hyperinsulinemia is primarily caused by insulin resistance. The body does not respond to the insulin produced, and the pancreas overcompensates by producing even more insulin, leading to excess amounts in the blood. Hyperinsulinemia can also be caused by insulinoma, which is a tumor of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. This is rare, however, and hyperinsulinemia is more likely to be caused by an excessive number of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, a condition called nesidioblastosis. Other causes include a genetic predisposition to developing the disease, as well as a family history of hypertension or high blood pressure.
Signs and Symptoms of Hyperinsulinemia
Hyperinsulinemia usually shows no signs or symptoms, except in cases with accompanying hypoglycemia. Then, frequent symptoms include:
- Temporary muscle weakness
- Lack of intellectual clarity or brain fog
- Fatigue
- Intense thirst or hunger
- Feelings of anxiety or panic attacks
- Weight gain
- Craving for sugar
Risks and Complication
Some of the complications of hyperinsulinemia include:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Female Infertility
- Atherosclerosis
- High Uric Acid levels
- Weight gain
- High triglyceride levels
Symptoms in children and young infants include:
- Difficulty feeding
- Extreme irritability
- Lack of energy and lethargy
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperinsulinemia
Due to the generally asymptomatic nature of this condition, hyperinsulinemia is usually only diagnosed when a doctor is checking for diabetes, through a blood glucose test when you are fasting.
Treatment involves identifying the underlying cause and treating that first. This is especially true if the disease is caused by insulinoma or nesidioblastosis. Generally, diabetes medication and lifestyle changes can be used to manage this condition. Physical activity and exercise can increase the sensitivity of the body to insulin, which will improve insulin resistance, a major cause of hyperinsulinemia. A healthy low-fat, low carbohydrate diet helps improve physiological body functions and reduce body weight. A diet high in protein should be avoided, because while it may help in diabetes, highly proteinous foods may actually worsen hyperinsulinemia. It is important to stress that medication is only indicated if dieting and exercise show no improvement, and should only be taken according to the prescription of a medical doctor.
Hyperinsulinemia can lead to more dangerous complications if not managed and kept under strict control. It is thus of utmost importance to have regular medical checkups. This will allow for a timely diagnosis, and early diagnosis and treatment is key to avoid the development of possibly fatal complications.
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