Insulin Resistance & Hormones

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the hormone insulin does not bind properly to insulin receptors on cells or the receptor does not transfer the insulin signal properly. Insulin resistance is an early stage of Type 2 diabetes. It can affect hormone levels in both men and women, and how the body's hormones function. Hormones can also trigger or worsen insulin resistance.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a catalyst for glucose uptake. Cells use glucose as fuel. When insulin binds to the body's cells, a transporter called GLUT-4 moves from the interior of the cell to the cell membrane. This allows glucose to pass through the membrane and into the cell. If you are resistant to insulin, reduced amounts of glucose enter the cells. As a result, the cells are starving. This signals to the pancreas that it should produce more insulin. The result is that both insulin and glucose accumulate in the blood.

Low Testosterone Levels

According to the American Diabetes Association, males who are resistant to insulin often encounter erectile dysfunction. Both men and women with insulin resistance sometimes lose their sexual desire. There is no known explanation for this. One theory is that the sexual problems occur because of the high blood levels of glucose. Glucose is able to bind to proteins in the bloodstream. As testosterone is a protein, glucose binding to testosterone might prevent testosterone from functioning properly.

Estrogen and Progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone fluctuate throughout a woman's menstrual cycle. These fluctuations lead to fluctuations in the blood levels of insulin. Female diabetics usually have a rise in blood glucose levels after ovulation and lower levels after the beginning of menstruation. .If you have insulin resistance, these fluctuations could have dangerous consequences, especially when insulin levels rise in the middle of the menstrual cycle. In insulin resistance, the pancreas is already working on full speed. Putting more pressure on it can impair the regions of the pancreas that produce insulin. Once the pancreas can no longer produce insulin, you will depend on daily insulin injections or insulin taken nasally.

Cortisol and Insulin

High levels of stress can cause insulin resistance. When your stress levels are high, your adrenal glands that sit on top of the kidneys release a surge of stress hormones, including adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol, into the bloodstream. Cortisol acts to counterbalance the action of insulin. It causes an increase in the blood levels of glucose, causing the pancreas to overproduce insulin. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance.

Insulin Resistance & Hormones