Diabetes vs. insulin resistance: What’s the difference?

“Insulin resistance isn’t the same thing as having diabetes,” said Schult. “Instead, it’s your body’s inability to use your insulin efficiently.”

While insulin resistance can indeed be a precursor to developing diabetes, it often occurs years before a diagnosis of either prediabetes or diabetes itself. This condition may not show up on the more generalized blood sugar screening test often given as part of a panel of bloodwork during a checkup, alongside a comprehensive metabolic panel or lipid panel, but it can still be screened for using specific bloodwork ordered by your doctor.

Insulin resistant individuals may experience symptoms like:

• Ongoing fatigue with no clear cause
• Skin tags
• Darkening of the skin
• Increased urination and thirst
• Increased hunger
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Slow-healing cuts and sores

The good news? Insulin resistance can be reversed, primarily through lifestyle changes like building regular activity and exercise into your day, pursuing a healthy diet with low glycemic index foods and with weight loss.

Other questions answered in this video include:

• How is insulin resistance different from diabetes and prediabetes?
• How can you tell if you have insulin resistance?
• Can you be insulin resistant if you are not overweight?
• And more

More information, including blogs, podcasts and videos on diagnosis and treatment of prediabetes and diabetes can be found right here on Flourish.