Insulin, Serum Concentration (Quantitative)
This test measures the amount of insulin, a hormone produced by your pancreas, in your blood serum. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing cells to absorb glucose for energy.
["Insulin levels help assess how your body manages blood sugar and may indicate diabetes or other metabolic conditions."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 55385-9
- Short code
- Insulin 15M p chal SerPl-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Insulin 15M p chal SerPl-sCnc
- 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
Why This Test Is Done
Your healthcare provider may order this test to check for diabetes, monitor insulin production, evaluate symptoms like unexplained weight changes, fatigue, or frequent urination, or assess complications of diabetes such as high blood sugar over time.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. You may have a small needle inserted into your arm to draw blood. If fasting is required (common for some insulin-related tests), avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 8–12 hours beforehand.
What the Test Results Mean
Results are interpreted by your doctor based on your symptoms, medical history, and other test results. Abnormal levels may signal conditions like hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperinsulinemia (excess insulin), or diabetes.
Common Conditions Linked to Insulin Levels
High insulin levels might indicate insulin resistance, tumors producing excess insulin, or certain endocrine disorders. Low levels could suggest diabetes, pancreatic issues, or medications affecting insulin production.
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 testing is critical for diagnosing diabetes (especially Type 1 or newly diagnosed Type 2) and guiding treatment plans. Persistently elevated or low insulin can signal metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, or other endocrine disorders. Regular monitoring helps prevent long-term complications like nerve damage or heart disease.
Short name
Serum Insulin Level
Frequently asked questions
Will fasting affect my insulin test results?
What symptoms might trigger an insulin test?
How long do I need to wait for my results?
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