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Does Insulin Level Increase During Anxiety Attack?
Question: Does insulin levels increase during anxiety attack?
Brief Answer:
There are insulin changes but the net effect is negative
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
During anxiety attacks stress hormones (catecholamines) enter the circulation. They affect various receptors but the net effect is that insulin release is reduced. This causes a higher than usual blood sugar. After the catecholamines return to normal the inhibitory effect on insulin release is withdrawn. If the effect is protracted, things can be more complicated.
I believe your question has been adequately addressed. If you'd like to ask for more details though, please specify them using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
There are insulin changes but the net effect is negative
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
During anxiety attacks stress hormones (catecholamines) enter the circulation. They affect various receptors but the net effect is that insulin release is reduced. This causes a higher than usual blood sugar. After the catecholamines return to normal the inhibitory effect on insulin release is withdrawn. If the effect is protracted, things can be more complicated.
I believe your question has been adequately addressed. If you'd like to ask for more details though, please specify them using your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Can chronic long term stress cause insulin levels to elevate?
Brief Answer:
Can't give an evidence-based answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I mentioned that protracted effect can be complicated. Our body has a tendency to achieve auto-regulation of its internal environment. I can't tell you what will happen if somebody has increased catecholamines all the time because I don't know any medical study that has addressed this subject. Actually it is unusual for somebody to have that high levels for so long.
We do know that medical conditions that cause insulin resistance like an acute infection, will cause a high blood sugar until it subsides which may take several days.
Usually the body recognizes persistent signals and acts accordingly but I can't say that this will happen with insulin.
Besides that anxiety attacks last for a limited period of time ("attacks"). So the answer is that anxiety attacks cause a high glucose due to the opposing effect of catecholamines to insulin.
I hope I've presented the answer in an easily understandable way.
If you still have questions though, please ask for clarifications.
Kind Regards!
Can't give an evidence-based answer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I mentioned that protracted effect can be complicated. Our body has a tendency to achieve auto-regulation of its internal environment. I can't tell you what will happen if somebody has increased catecholamines all the time because I don't know any medical study that has addressed this subject. Actually it is unusual for somebody to have that high levels for so long.
We do know that medical conditions that cause insulin resistance like an acute infection, will cause a high blood sugar until it subsides which may take several days.
Usually the body recognizes persistent signals and acts accordingly but I can't say that this will happen with insulin.
Besides that anxiety attacks last for a limited period of time ("attacks"). So the answer is that anxiety attacks cause a high glucose due to the opposing effect of catecholamines to insulin.
I hope I've presented the answer in an easily understandable way.
If you still have questions though, please ask for clarifications.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Does this lab indicate insulin resistance?
Brief Answer:
Not necessarily
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
insulin resistance goes along with higher than normal insulin values. But you've got to remember that insulin values are not stable. They fluctuate depending on food intake and timing of measurement. It is important to know the glucose level at the time of the measurement.
If this is a fasting measurement then this could indicate insulin resistance. Whether you have a problem that requires treatment (diabetes mellitus type 2) or not depends on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A normal OGTT excludes diabetes and no therapy is indicated with current medical knowledge.
If you're overweight (which is a usual finding in individuals with insulin resistance) then loosing some weight will help a lot. Physical activity helps as well. 30 minutes of fast walking per day is enough according to credible medical studies.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
I'll be available later for further clarifications of course...
Kind Regards!
Not necessarily
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
insulin resistance goes along with higher than normal insulin values. But you've got to remember that insulin values are not stable. They fluctuate depending on food intake and timing of measurement. It is important to know the glucose level at the time of the measurement.
If this is a fasting measurement then this could indicate insulin resistance. Whether you have a problem that requires treatment (diabetes mellitus type 2) or not depends on the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A normal OGTT excludes diabetes and no therapy is indicated with current medical knowledge.
If you're overweight (which is a usual finding in individuals with insulin resistance) then loosing some weight will help a lot. Physical activity helps as well. 30 minutes of fast walking per day is enough according to credible medical studies.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
I'll be available later for further clarifications of course...
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
My A1C is 4.2, glucose is always normal (random draws, fasting etc)
Brief Answer:
There is no diabetes yet
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your glucosylated hemoglobin A1c value virtually excludes diabetes. Having increased amounts of insulin though (and I don't mean that you do, because the data are insufficient to say so) may be a sign of insulin resistance (as I've described in my previous answer) and may put you at risk for diabetes in the future despite the good glucose control for the time being.
Kind Regards!
There is no diabetes yet
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
your glucosylated hemoglobin A1c value virtually excludes diabetes. Having increased amounts of insulin though (and I don't mean that you do, because the data are insufficient to say so) may be a sign of insulin resistance (as I've described in my previous answer) and may put you at risk for diabetes in the future despite the good glucose control for the time being.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
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