Answer
Insulin is an anabolic hormone that promotes glucose uptake, glycogenesis, lipogenesis, and protein synthesis of skeletal muscle and fat tissue through the tyrosine kinase receptor pathway. In addition, insulin is the most important factor in the regulation of plasma glucose homeostasis, as it counteracts glucagon and other catabolic hormones—epinephrine, glucocorticoid, and growth hormone.
Table 1. Reference Range of Insulin Levels [1] (Open Table in a new window)
|
Insulin Level |
Insulin Level (SI Units*) |
Fasting |
< 25 mIU/L |
< 174 pmol/L |
30 minutes after glucose administration |
30-230 mIU/L |
208-1597 pmol/L |
1 hour after glucose administration |
18-276 mIU/L |
125-1917 pmol/L |
2 hour after glucose administration |
16-166 mIU/L |
111-1153 pmol/L |
≥3 hours after glucose administration |
< 25 mIU/L |
< 174 pmol/L |
*SI unit: conversional units x 6.945 |