Insulin, Serum (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.
["Insulin helps control your blood sugar and is important for energy and cell function."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 30260-4
- Short code
- Insulin 3.3h p chal SerPl-aCnc
- Synonyms
- Insulin 3.3h p chal SerPl-aCnc
- 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 Is This Test Done?
Your healthcare provider may order this test to diagnose or monitor conditions like diabetes, insulin resistance, or other metabolic disorders. It may also be used to assess how well your body is responding to insulin therapy or to check for signs of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the test if it’s part of a glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity study. If you’re on insulin or diabetes medication, let your provider know before testing.
How the Test Is Performed
A blood sample is drawn from a vein, typically in your arm, using a small needle. You may feel a slight pinch, but the procedure is quick and usually painless. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis using an immunoassay method to detect insulin levels.
What the Results Mean
Results are interpreted based on your clinical context, symptoms, and other lab tests. Elevated insulin levels might suggest insulin resistance, tumors producing excess insulin, or other conditions. Low levels could indicate diabetes, poor insulin production, or certain metabolic disorders.
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.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
How does insulin testing help doctors diagnose conditions?
What if my insulin levels are abnormal?
Can fasting affect insulin test 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