Last week we learned about the ‘Insulin School Bus’ and Insulin Resistance (IR). Welcome to part two of this series, where we explore how you might tell whether you have IR in your body.

It’s not always straightforward because your body works hard to manage as best and as long as it can, without showing initial signs or symptoms.

(Short on time? Click here for The Bottom Line)

It’s important to learn about this, especially because nearly all of us are affected. Did you know 1 in 3 Canadians live with Type 2 Diabetes or Pre-diabetes? These are directly related to IR.

Your pancreas works hard at managing things for you, almost to a fault, because it overproduces insulin for years, which tends to keep your blood sugar looking “normal” when you get tested. Patients often tell me they feel fine, but unfortunately as providers, we can see more clearly how their biology might be struggling behind the scenes.

IR generally does not ring alarm bells until it’s gone on for way too long, and even then, we usually find out on a blood test when we are 40–45 years or older. Then we feel blindsided about “suddenly” having diabetes or obesity or another chronic inflammatory disease, when in fact it has likely been brewing for decades.

Although you might not feel like the cells in your body closed their doors to the ‘Insulin School Buses’ carrying glucose (your energy/fuel), your body sometimes raises subtle flags or hints that could help you recognize something might be off. For example, you may notice:

  • Acanthosis Nigricans – skin changes (specifically, dark/velvety patches and/or skin tags developing, usually around your neck and armpits)
  • Visceral Fat – carrying extra weight specifically around your abdomen/belly and around your organs, changing your body’s weight/fat distribution
  • Being “Hangry” – while this may have multiple causes, it can happen more often in IR, where you feel shaky, irritable, and/or intensely hungry, only satisfied by eating something
  • Fatigue & Fog – also may be related to many things, but persistent ‘brain fog’ and feeling tired constantly despite sleeping well can be a sign

Noticing these signs is not cause for immediate panic. It does not mean your willpower has failed. These are biological signals that indicate those insulin buses are having a hard time finding an open cell door to drop the sugar off for you.

If you experience any of these, it might be a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider about IR or your risk of IR related conditions such as Obesity, PCOS, Fatty Liver (MASLD), or Type 2 Diabetes.

Finally, it’s worth noting certain factors that increase the risk of IR. These include but are not limited to:

  • Chronic Stress
  • Genetics – specifically South Asian, Indigenous, and African ethnicities have higher genetic risks
  • Being Sedentary for long periods

Pay attention to your body and what it might be trying to tell you. Early awareness can not only empower you, but may also help you best navigate and manage IR. More on that in part three next week!

The Bottom Line

You may not have symptoms of Insulin Resistance (IR) until it’s too late and it shows up as Type 2 Diabetes or another chronic disease. Pay attention to your body’s signals, which may show up as skin, mood, energy, or weight changes, which can hint at something needing your attention. Take action to prevent or manage as best as you can… the longer you wait, the more challenging it gets!