Are you insulin resistant? Learn these symptoms
When your body has insulin resistance, your cells don’t respond correctly to insulin, which is a hormone that helps your body use sugar for energy. This leads to higher blood sugar levels, which can cause type 2 diabetes if not treated. Insulin resistance often starts without obvious symptoms, making it hard to notice. However, there are a few hidden signs that appear before serious symptoms show. Here are five signs to look out for. If you notice any of these, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor, although they can happen for other reasons too.
Skin tags and dark patches
If you start to see small, skin-colored flaps called skin tags, especially around your neck, armpits, or groin, it could be a sign of insulin resistance. Another condition known as Acanthosis nigricans causes thick, velvety, dark patches in the same areas. These changes happen because insulin resistance affects how your skin cells work. Skin tags can form from friction, but having many tags along with sudden dark patches can signal high insulin levels in your body.
Unexplained hair loss
Hair loss isn’t always caused by insulin resistance, but research shows there's a connection. This is because insulin resistance leads to higher blood sugar, which causes inflammation that can damage small blood vessels in your body. When the blood vessels that feed your hair follicles get damaged, your hair may grow more slowly or fall out. A common type of hair loss called female pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia is more common in women. Insulin resistance can show up through unexplained hair loss, along with other signs, especially if you’re losing a lot of hair.
Sugar cravings and constant hunger
If you feel a strong urge to eat sugary or high-carb foods and feel hungry even after eating, it could be a sign of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance stops glucose from entering your cells, so your blood sugar stays high. Your body feels like it’s not getting enough energy, which makes you hungry and crave sugar to get quick fuel. Eating sugar can make insulin resistance worse, leading to even more cravings and hunger. Paying attention to your cravings can help you detect insulin resistance early.
Fatigue and brain fog
If you feel unusually tired after meals and have trouble concentrating, it could be a sign of insulin resistance. This happens because your body’s cells aren’t absorbing glucose properly, so your brain and muscles don’t get the energy they need. When your energy levels drop, your mental clarity can suffer, leading to brain fog, which makes it hard to focus or remember things. This kind of fatigue is different from normal tiredness because it doesn’t go away even when you rest or eat. If you have this kind of fatigue along with brain fog and other symptoms, it’s a good idea to check your insulin sensitivity.
Increased belly fat and difficulty losing weight
When insulin resistance develops, your body starts storing more fat around your waist, known as visceral fat. This isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems. Insulin resistance causes your body to turn extra sugar into fat, mostly in your belly area. This fat can make insulin resistance worse, creating a harmful cycle. People with insulin resistance often gain weight quickly in their midsection and find it hard to lose it through diet or exercise. Watching for changes in your waist size can help you spot insulin resistance early.
