{"id":57202,"date":"2023-02-20T09:30:18","date_gmt":"2023-02-20T14:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=57202"},"modified":"2025-03-19T10:52:22","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T14:52:22","slug":"insulin-resistance-vs-diabetes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/insulin-resistance-vs-diabetes\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the difference between insulin resistance and prediabetes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you hear the term <\/span>insulin resistance,<\/span><\/a> you probably think of diabetes. But while insulin resistance can lead to diabetes, it\u2019s not the same thing. Insulin resistance refers to the inability of your body\u2019s cells to respond to insulin, whereas diabetes (and prediabetes) happens when your pancreas doesn\u2019t make enough insulin to regulate your blood sugar.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are confused about insulin resistance vs. diabetes, you are not alone! Here, we\u2019ll explain the difference between insulin resistance and prediabetes, what causes the two conditions, any signs and symptoms to look for, and what steps to take to <\/span>manage these conditions<\/span><\/a> if you receive a diagnosis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is insulin resistance the same as diabetes?<\/h2>\n

Insulin resistance and prediabetes are distinct conditions. To understand each condition better, it\u2019s important to first recognize the role that insulin plays in your body. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. It helps regulate the glucose that enters your blood cells as food is digested and broken down after eating. After you eat, your insulin levels rise so that a healthy amount of glucose enters your body\u2019s cells\u2014not too much, and not too little. Both insulin resistance and prediabetes involve problems using or making insulin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Insulin resistance<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cInsulin resistance is a condition when the various cells (like muscle, liver, fat) don’t respond to insulin hormone and cannot regulate glucose from the blood,\u201d explains Soma Mandal, MD, an internist at<\/span> Summit Health<\/span><\/a> in New Jersey.\u201d Insulin resistance is more common than you might realize and affects as many as <\/span>24% of adults age 20 and older<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, most healthcare providers don\u2019t test for insulin resistance but may be able to diagnose it based on symptoms. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the current tests available for insulin resistance are complex and are used primarily for research purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prediabetes\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Prediabetes and diabetes are characterized by increased glucose levels in your blood and occur when the pancreas isn\u2019t making proper amounts of insulin or your cells become resistant to insulin. In prediabetes, your glucose levels are higher than they should be, but not yet elevated enough to be considered diabetes. Most healthcare providers screen adults regularly for prediabetes, using blood tests such as the <\/span>A1C test<\/span><\/a> and the fasting plasma glucose test. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your blood glucose levels reach certain thresholds\u2014for example when your<\/span> A1C test result is 6.5% or higher<\/span><\/a> or when your glucose tolerance test is 200 mg\/dL or more. Prediabetes affects about 84 million adults aged 18 and older, which comes out to roughly every<\/span> 1 in 3 adults in the United States<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Insulin resistance vs prediabetes symptoms<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

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Insulin resistance symptoms<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Prediabetes symptoms<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Not everyone with insulin resistance has symptoms, though common signs may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
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  • Excess fat around your waistline<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Elevated blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Elevated fasting blood sugar levels<\/span><\/li>\n
  • High cholesterol and\/or triglyceride levels<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dark patches on the neck or other parts of your body<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Low energy and fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Irregular menstrual cycles (in women)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
Many people live with this condition for years without showing any noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, you may develop signs including:<\/span><\/p>\n