Biomarkers · Glycemic & Metabolic
Fasting Serum Insulin
Lower values carry lower risk. In NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019, each standard deviation is associated with a hazard ratio of 1.06. Reproduces in NHANES
NHANES, our fit with 95% CIPublished curve
Hazard ratios relative to each curve's own reference value, so the two curves need not cross 1 at the same point. The dotted vertical line marks the NHANES median.
NHANES hazard per SD1.0695% CI 1.03–1.10 · 23,305 adults, 3,435 deaths
Published hazard ratio1.33top vs bottom quarter (95% CI 1.17–1.51) · Helsinki Policemen Study 22-Year Follow-up
Where people sit
Population percentiles (uIU/mL) by sex and age band. Cycle or source as recorded in the catalogue.
| Sex | Age | 5th | 25th | Median | 75th | 95th | n | Cycle / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | 20-39 | 3.20 | 6.20 | 9.10 | 14.0 | 30.5 | 1,240 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 40-59 | 3.60 | 7.20 | 10.5 | 16.2 | 36.2 | 1,210 | 2017-2018 |
| All | 60+ | 3.50 | 7.00 | 10.1 | 15.5 | 35.0 | 1,250 | 2017-2018 |
| All | all | 3.40 | 6.80 | 9.90 | 15.2 | 34.0 | 3,700 | 2017-2018 |
| Men | all | 3.50 | 7.00 | 10.2 | 15.8 | 35.5 | 1,810 | 2017-2018 |
| Women | all | 3.30 | 6.60 | 9.60 | 14.6 | 32.5 | 1,890 | 2017-2018 |
What studies found when this marker was changed
Effects on the biomarker reported in the cited studies. They describe what happened in those populations, not a recommendation for anyone. See all catalogued interventions.
| Type | Intervention | Reported effect | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| diet | Time-restricted eating (16:8) and reduction of refined starches | Reduces fasting insulin by 30-50% | RCT | Estruch R, et al. Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterran… |
| diet | Therapeutic intermittent fasting and prolonged fasting (16:8 to 24hr) | -30% to -60% reduction | rct | De Cabo R, et al. N Engl J Med. 2019;381:2541-2551. |
| diet | Frequent snacking with refined high-glycemic carbohydrates | +40% to +90% basal elevation | rct | Koopman R, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;82:298-306. |
| exercise | Intensive resistance hypertrophy training | -20% to -40% reduction via GLUT4 non-insulin mediated uptake | meta-analysis | Jalo E, et al. Sports Med. 2022;52:2789-2811. |
| lifestyle | Excessive visceral fat accretion and hepatic steatosis | +100% to +300% elevation (fasting insulin > 15 µIU/mL) | prospective cohort | Kahn SE, et al. Nature. 2006;444:840-846. |
| pharmacologic | SGLT2 inhibitors (Empagliflozin / Dapagliflozin) | -15% to -30% reduction via glucosuria and beta-cell resting | rct | Ferrannini E, et al. Diabetes Care. 2014;37:2084-2090. |
Sources
- Hazard curve: Diabetes Care 2012; 35:1022
- Ausmanas M, et al. Fasting insulin and long-term mortality: a 20-year prospective cohort study. Diabetologia. 2012;55(9):2340-2348.
- Empirical curve: our Cox model with age and sex, NHANES 1999–2018 with linked mortality to 2019.