The Difference Between Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

Insulin resistance is often referred to as “pre-diabetes,” because it is a condition in which your cells’ insulin receptors are not functioning correctly.

Though these two conditions are sometimes part of the same conversation, there are many key differences between insulin resistance and diabetes. Together, we will explore how they’re linked, and what differentiates them.

For starters, insulin resistance is characterized by high levels of insulin and glucose floating around in your bloodstream. We diagnose insulin resistance by an elevation in hemoglobin A1C (HGBA1C). This is a protein carried by your red blood cells. When red blood cells are exposed to high sugar levels, they produce more HBGA1C. HGBA1C reveals your blood sugar level over the last six to eight weeks. If your HBGA1 is 5.7 or higher, then you are insulin resistant. 

Diabetes, however, means that you’ve gone beyond insulin resistance.

You have trouble making enough insulin to escort glucose into your cells, and your pancreas needs help creating insulin. There are two types of diabetes: type one and type two. Type one diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Also referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. In most cases, a virus destroys the pancreatic beta cells, so you can no longer make insulin yourself. And must take it for the rest of your life. 

Type two diabetes is what happens when you do not treat insulin resistance. In type two diabetes, your pancreas tries to make so much insulin to overcome insulin resistance that over time, it gets worn out and has trouble making enough insulin. 

There are medications to help with insulin resistance. There are also ways to help your pancreas make more insulin. But the best way to treat insulin resistance and type two diabetes is with lifestyle changes. These changes include diet, exercise, and supporting your hypothalamus. Insulin resistance is the precursor to type two diabetes. So it’s best to make lifestyle changes to combat insulin resistance and prevent type 2 diabetes as soon as possible. Thankfully, there are many guides that can help you with healthy lifestyle changes.

If you have any questions about insulin resistance or diabetes, join me in our Hormone Support Group, where you’ll get access to our free Hormone Reboot Training.