Fasting insulin: catch pre-diabetes 10 years before HbA1c
The metabolic early warning rarely ordered in standard screening, and the 10-15 year head start it provides
10 min read
Good reasons to test
- Energy crashes after meals
- Difficulty losing weight despite exercise
- Family history of type 2 diabetes
Targeted Testing
Fasting Insulin
Measures insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar, after an overnight fast
$65one-off, no subscription
- NATA-accredited pathology
- No GP referral needed
- Results in 3 to 5 business days
- Collect at 1,900+ centres
Why this test
Fasting glucose shows the sugar in your blood. Fasting insulin shows how much insulin is circulating in your blood while your body keeps glucose steady.
Your body can keep blood sugar in the normal range by making more insulin, so insulin can be higher while glucose still looks normal. A higher result is not a diagnosis. Australian GP and endocrinology guidance says there is no role for routinely testing insulin levels to assess insulin resistance, so discuss your result with your GP alongside glucose, HbA1c and your other risk factors.
Understanding your results
Typical range
Your insulin sensitivity appears healthy
Elevated
May indicate developing insulin resistance - lifestyle factors can help
High
Worth discussing with your healthcare practitioner - early intervention is effective
Reference ranges vary by laboratory and personal context. Your result is shown against the lab's range in your dashboard, alongside what it means.
How it works
1
TODAY
Order online
Pick a test or panel and check out. No GP referral, no waiting room.
2
THIS WEEK
One quick visit
Walk into one of 1,900+ NATA-accredited collection centres. A single blood draw is all it takes.
3
IN 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS
Clear results
We translate your results into plain language in your dashboard - what each marker means, and what is in range.
4
ONGOING
Track over time
Retest when it matters and watch your trends, so you can see what is actually changing.
Complete your health picture
Tests and panels that pair well with this one.
Energy & Metabolism
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$279HbA1c
Learn more HbA1c measurement reflecting average blood glucose levels over 2-3 months.
$59Longevity Foundation Panel
Learn more A foundational set of markers for long-term health tracking, including metabolism and inflammation.
$279Read more about this test
Evidence-based articles from the Clarity Journal.
This information is for general education and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Results are best interpreted with a qualified healthcare practitioner in the context of your symptoms and history.