Top 5 Signs You Might Have High Insulin Levels — Even If Your Blood Sugar is Normal

When most people think about insulin, they often associate it with blood sugar and diabetes. But the truth is, you can have normal blood glucose levels and still have elevated insulin—known as hyperinsulinemia. High insulin levels can quietly cause damage over time, even without immediate symptoms, making it essential to recognize early warning signs. Here are five key signs you might have high insulin levels, even if your blood sugar is normal:

1. Increased Belly Fat

One of the most common signs of elevated insulin is excess fat around your midsection. High insulin levels encourage your body to store fat, particularly in the abdominal area. If you’ve noticed an increase in belly fat, even without major changes to your diet or exercise routine, high insulin could be to blame.

2. Constant Hunger and Cravings

Do you find yourself feeling hungry all the time, even shortly after eating? Elevated insulin levels can disrupt your body’s natural appetite regulation, leading to constant hunger and intense cravings, particularly for sugary or high-carbohydrate foods. This happens because insulin not only affects glucose uptake but also interferes with key appetite hormones like leptin, ghrelin, and GLP-1. Leptin signals fullness, ghrelin triggers hunger, and GLP-1 helps regulate appetite and insulin secretion. When insulin levels are high, leptin signaling may become impaired, meaning you don’t feel satisfied after meals. Meanwhile, ghrelin levels can remain elevated, making you feel like you’re always hungry, and GLP-1 may not work effectively, leading to poor appetite control. These disruptions can drive overeating and weight gain, further perpetuating the cycle of insulin resistance.

3. Difficulty Losing Weight

If you’ve been following a healthy diet and exercise routine but still struggle to lose weight, high insulin levels may be the culprit. Elevated insulin makes it difficult for your body to burn fat, instead promoting fat storage. Even with calorie restriction, if your insulin is high, weight loss may be a frustrating challenge.

4. Chronic Fatigue

Do you feel constantly exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep? Chronic fatigue can be a sign of high insulin levels because your body struggles to access stored fat for energy. When insulin is elevated, it blocks your body’s ability to burn fat, leaving it searching for other sources of energy—primarily glucose. However, if your blood sugar is stable or low, your body may turn to muscle for fuel. Since breaking down muscle isn’t ideal, your body will instead slow your metabolism to conserve energy, making you feel sluggish and tired throughout the day. Essentially, your body is running low on fuel but doesn’t want to burn muscle, so it’s like it’s pressing the “pause” button, leaving you craving naps and feeling drained.

5. Skin Changes

High insulin levels can lead to visible changes in your skin, and these changes go beyond just dark patches or skin tags. Elevated insulin often triggers chronic inflammation, which can result in collagen damage—a key protein responsible for keeping your skin firm and youthful. Over time, this collagen damage becomes irreparable, leading to premature skin aging, including fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to wrinkles, high insulin can worsen acne by increasing oil production and inflammation in the skin. This combination of accelerated skin aging and breakouts is a direct consequence of prolonged, unchecked insulin levels. If you’re noticing early signs of aging or more frequent acne flare-ups, high insulin could be a contributing factor.

Why It’s Important to Test Your Insulin Levels

If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s essential to get your insulin levels checked. Even if your blood sugar is normal, elevated insulin is a strong predictor of future health issues like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers. Taking action now by managing your insulin through diet and lifestyle changes can help you prevent more serious health complications down the road.

Take Control of Your Insulin Today

At Lilli Health, we offer at-home insulin testing kits that make it easy to find out your insulin levels and take control of your health. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen—your future health depends on it.