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Evidence-based GLP-1 & peptide discussion since 2023
ForumsMetabolic Health & DiabetesFasting insulin levels — need advice Page 2

Fasting insulin levels — need advice

JenMemphis Tue, Nov 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM 21 replies 1,428 viewsPage 2 of 5
dan_philly
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Nov 11, 2025 at 5:39 PM#6
JenMemphis said:
HbA1c reflects roughly three months of average glycaemia weighted toward the most recent weeks, which is why repeating it at six weeks tells you very…

Glycemic variability as the key metric for glycaemic control success: my coefficient of variation (CV) on CGM dropped from 40% to 20%. Target is <36%, with <30% being ideal.

Why this matters more than average glucose: large glucose swings cause oxidative stress, endothelial damage, and promote advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). A flat glucose line at 95 mg/dL is metabolically healthier than oscillating between 60 and 160, even if the average is the same.

Last edited: Nov 11, 2025 at 8:39 PM
3 23DadBodDave, AmyNC_wife, SkepticalSean
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quinn_sf
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Nov 11, 2025 at 6:12 PM#7

A narrower follow-up, since the general answer is now clear:

Was that from a primary source or from a summary of one?

2 22Dr.PathRoch, mona_PHX
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Dr.RheumBOS
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Nov 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM#8
dan_philly said:
Glycemic variability as the key metric for glycaemic control success: my coefficient of variation (CV) on CGM dropped from 40% to 20%.

Complete metabolic panel trending on glycaemic control — sharing because comprehensive data helps everyone:

TestBaselineMonth 3Month 6Month 12
Glucose (fasting)1161069284
Insulin (fasting)221487
HOMA-IR4.54.22.01.5
Uric Acid8.96.65.95.2

The insulin resistance improvement (HOMA-IR) is what my endo focuses on most. Going from 4.5 to near 1.0 is a metabolic transformation.

1 21cory_ATX
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JenMemphis
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Nov 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM#9
dan_philly said:
Glycemic variability as the key metric for glycaemic control success: my coefficient of variation (CV) on CGM dropped from 40% to 20%.

Insulin sensitivity test (HOMA-IR) on glycaemic control — arguably the most important metabolic marker most people aren't tracking:

HOMA-IR = (fasting insulin × fasting glucose) ÷ 405

My numbers: Baseline HOMA-IR = 4.3 (insulin resistant) → Current = 1.3 (insulin sensitive)

Anything above 2.0 indicates insulin resistance. The goal is below 1.5. GLP-1 agonists address the root metabolic dysfunction, not just the symptoms. This is why they work so much better than calorie restriction alone.

Last edited: Nov 12, 2025 at 12:18 AM
50 20wanda_boise, NurseAsh_DET, BenResearch_OR and 47 others
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mike_mod
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Nov 11, 2025 at 9:56 PM#10
Dr.RheumBOS said:
Complete metabolic panel trending on glycaemic control — sharing because comprehensive data helps everyone: Test Baseline Month 3 Month 6 Month 12…

Fasting insulin is the lab my functional medicine doctor cares about most for glycaemic control: it's a much earlier marker of metabolic dysfunction than glucose or A1C.

My fasting insulin: 31 → 15 → 7 uIU/mL over 9 months. Target is <7. By the time your fasting glucose is elevated, your insulin has been elevated for YEARS trying to compensate.

Ask your doctor to include fasting insulin in your bloodwork panel. It's cheap (~$20) and incredibly informative.

4 2PurityPaulOR, MaxMetOK, MounjBrad and 1 other
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