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Hyperinsulinemia: Is it diabetes?

content provided by mayoclinic.com

Hyperinsulinemia: Is it diabetes?

Question

Is hyperinsulinemia the same as diabetes?

Melanie
Pennsylvania

Answer

Hyperinsulinemia means you have too much insulin in your blood. It isn't diabetes. But hyperinsulinemia is often associated with type 2 diabetes.

Insulin is produced by your pancreas and helps regulate blood sugar. Hyperinsulinemia is a sign of an underlying problem that is causing your pancreas to secrete excessive amounts of insulin.

The most common cause of hyperinsulinemia is insulin resistance, a condition in which your body is resistant to the effects of insulin and your pancreas tries to compensate by making more insulin.

Rarely, hyperinsulinemia is caused by:

  • A tumor of the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas (insulinoma)
  • Excessive numbers of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas (nesidioblastosis)

Hyperinsulinemia causes no signs or symptoms unless it causes low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Treatment of hyperinsulinemia is directed at the underlying problem.

Last Updated: 12/05/2005
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