What is a low insulin level while on LCHF

"Useful markers for identifying those who may be insulin resistant (as measured by an insulin suppression test)."

"In nondiabetic, normotensive overweight individuals, 

1-serum triglyceride concentration, 

2-the ratio of triglyceride to high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations, and 

3-fasting insulin concentration are useful markers for identifying those who may be insulin resistant (as measured by an insulin suppression test). 

Optimal cut-points were identified as 

TG 130 mg/dL (1.47 mmol/L),   my TG was 64

TG/HDLC Ratio  3.0 (1.8 SI units),  my ratio was 1.1

insulin15.7 µU/mL (109 pmol/L)  my free insulin was 8.4

Sensitivity and specificity for the cut-points were 67, 64, and 57 percent, respectively, and 71, 68, and 85 percent, respectively."

From UpToDate July 2015

My waist is 41.5 inches (over 40" for metabolic syndrome)
HDLc is 60
TG 64
BP good on Ramipril for DM2

On my  Advanced Lipid Test by Liposcience, I scored 43 which is normal as a Insulin Resistance Score

Tests for insulin resistance

Diabetes. 1981 May;30(5):387-92.

Assessment of insulin resistance with the insulin suppression test and the euglycemic clamp.

Greenfield MS, Doberne L, Kraemer F, Tobey T, Reaven G.

Abstract

Insulin resistance was quantified with two different methods in 30 subjects with varying degrees of glucose tolerance. 

One method, the insulin suppression test, is performed by continuously infusing epinephrine, propranolol, insulin, and glucose. 

Epinephrine and propranolol suppress endogenous insulin release, and steady-state plasma levels of exogenous insulin and glucose are reached in all individuals. 

Because the steady-state insulin level is the same in all subjects, the height of the steady-state plasma glucose level provides a direct estimate of insulin resistance.

 The other method, the euglycemic clamp technique, produces a steady-state level of exogenous hyperinsulinemia by means of a primed and continuous insulin infusion. Glucose is also infused at a rate sufficient to prevent an insulin-induced fall in glucose concentration, and the amount of glucose required to maintain the basal plasma glucose level provides the estimates of insulin resistance. The results indicated that estimates of insulin resistance generated by the two methods were highly correlated (r = 0.93). Furthermore, both methods of assessing insulin resistance indicated that the greater the degree of glucose intolerance, the more severe the insulin resistance. These results serve to further emphasize the importance of insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia in type II diabetes.

PMID:

 

7014307