: Insulin, type unspecified
: This test measures the level of insulin in your blood, a hormone that helps move sugar into your cells for energy.
[": An insulin test helps your doctor understand how well your body is producing and responding to insulin."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 41942-4
- Short code
- INSULINTYPE
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- hormone
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 2.6
- Ref high
- 24.9
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 83525
- SNOMED
- 413618004
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What Is Insulin?
: Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. When you eat, your blood sugar rises, and insulin signals your cells to take in sugar to use for energy or store for later. Measuring insulin can help show how your body handles sugar.
: Why Might I Need This Test?
: Your doctor may order an insulin test if you have signs of low blood sugar, if you are being checked for insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes, or if you have a condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome. It may also be used to help find the cause of abnormal blood sugar levels.
: How the Test Is Done
: This is a blood test. A healthcare professional draws a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm, usually into a tube. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. The exact specimen type and method may vary by lab.
: Preparing for Your Test
: Your doctor may ask you to fast before this test or to have it drawn at a specific time, especially if it is being checked together with blood sugar or after a glucose challenge. Follow the instructions you are given. Tell your care team about any medicines you take, since some can affect insulin levels.
Reference range
Fasting: 2.6-24.9 μIU/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Insulin results are interpreted together with blood sugar levels, symptoms, and other tests. A high or low insulin level on its own does not diagnose a condition; your doctor will consider the full picture. Reference ranges vary between laboratories, so your report's own range should be used.
Short name
: NONE
Frequently asked questions
: Do I need to fast for an insulin test?
: Can medicines affect my insulin result?
: What does an abnormal insulin level mean?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy