: Insulin, Serum or Plasma, Substance Concentration
: This test measures the amount of insulin in a sample of serum or plasma. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps move glucose from the blood into cells for energy.
[": An insulin measurement shows how much of this glucose-regulating hormone is present in your blood at the time of the sample."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 40289-1
- Short code
- Insulin 1h p chal SerPl-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Insulin 1h 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
: What Is Being Measured
: Insulin is a hormone produced by specialized cells in the pancreas. It helps regulate blood sugar by signaling cells to take in glucose. This test determines the concentration of insulin in serum or plasma, reflecting how much hormone is circulating in your bloodstream.
: Why Your Doctor May Order It
: Your healthcare provider may order an insulin test as part of an evaluation of blood sugar problems, to investigate symptoms such as low blood sugar, or to help assess how well your body responds to insulin. It is often interpreted together with a glucose measurement taken at the same time.
: How the Sample Is Collected
: A small blood sample is drawn, usually from a vein in your arm, and the serum or plasma is separated for analysis. Your provider will tell you whether any preparation, such as fasting, is needed before the draw.
: How to Understand the Result
: Results are reported as a concentration of insulin in your blood. Normal ranges vary by laboratory, so your report will include the range used by that lab. Insulin levels are best interpreted alongside glucose and other tests, so discuss what your specific numbers mean with your healthcare provider.
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 measurement is clinically useful for investigating disorders of glucose regulation, including evaluation of suspected insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, and certain pancreatic conditions. Because insulin acts together with glucose, results are typically interpreted in context rather than in isolation, and your provider will consider your symptoms, other lab values, and medical history.
Short name
: Insulin
Frequently asked questions
: Do I need to fast before an insulin test?
: Can I interpret my insulin result on its own?
: Is the insulin test the same as a blood sugar test?
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