The metabolism taking place in the human body is a rather complicated process. Its course is influenced by various factors and substances, including the hormone insulin.
The importance of the hormone insulin
The hormone insulin is produced by a special organ - the pancreas gland. This substance is peptide. It is responsible for supplying potassium and amino acids to all cells of the body. At the same time, insulin also corrects the carbohydrate balance.
This hormone is considered to be the only one of its kind. It stimulates a decrease in the level of glucose in the blood.
In the case when a pancreatic gland produces a small portion of the hormone insulin, diabetes mellitus occurs. If the concentration of the produced substance is more than normal, tumors are formed. Such neoplasms are considered hormonal active.
The norm of the insulin hormone in the blood
The quantitative value of this substance is calculated in units of the hormone per 1 ml of blood. The norm of the insulin index depends on the patient's age and other factors:
- in expectant mothers is from 6 to 27 microU / ml;
- in children, the capacity index varies from 3 to 20 μU / ml;
- in advanced years, the level of the hormone can be from 6 to 27 microU / ml;
- for a healthy person, the index of this active substance varies from 3 to 25 μU / ml.
In this case, if you calculate fasting insulin, its quantitative index will be minimal. And if you take the blood for analysis about an hour after eating, the concentration of insulin becomes the maximum.
An irreproachable result can be given only by the research to which the patient is prepared in advance. Do it on an empty stomach. In addition, a couple of days before blood sampling and subsequent research, it is extremely important for the patient to refuse to take hormonal drugs. And 12 hours before such an analysis it is important to exclude stress and any physical activity.
Symptoms of insulin failure in the blood
The patient can identify the deviation independently, based on his condition.
When the concentration of the insulin hormone is increased, the following symptoms are observed:
- strong thirst;
- endless urge to urinate;
- fatigue;
- uncomfortable itching sensation, etc.
If the hormone index fell, this is accompanied by the following signs:
- heart palpitations ;
- cyanosis of the skin;
- a pronounced feeling of hunger;
- sweating and the like.
The hormone insulin concentration is regulated by the drugs that the endocrinologist must select and prescribe. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable.