Are You Insulin-Resistant Or Do You Have Characteristics of Insulin-Resistance?

Do you have insulin resistance? Read through the self-test list of questions and mark a (Y) for YES or a (N) for NO next to each question.  This is a test to see how affected you are, if applicable, by insulin resistance.

Do you have now or have you ever had any of the following?

• A family history of diabetes, overweight problems, abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides, heart disease, or stroke
• Frequent cravings for sweet or salty, crunchy snack food
• The need to eat often or eat excessive amounts of food
• A difficult time losing weight even if you exercise or cut back on your food intake
• A problem with weight gain even when eating small amounts of food
• Weight gain mostly around waist or your abdomen area
• Skin tags (small, painless, flappy skin growths) on you neck, chest, breasts, groin area, or underarms
• A history of irregular menstrual periods, especially skipping months
• A history of polycystic ovarian disease
• High triglyceride levels
• Low HDL cholesterol (the “good” type of cholesterol)
• High LDL cholesterol (the “bad” type of cholesterol)
• High or borderline high blood pressure-even during pregnancy
• The feeling that you are addicted to carbohydrates
• The feeling that you have no willpower when it comes to dieting
• Jitteriness, difficulty thinking, headaches, or nausea that goes away when you eat
• Hypoglycemia
• Afternoon fatigue
• Type II diabetes, or abnormal glucose tolerance tests-even just during pregnancy
• High uric acid or gout
• A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher

*If you marked a (Y) next to three or more of the questions, you are likely to have insulin resistance.  The more (Y) you have, the more likely you are to be affected.