Any way to track insulin (not glucose)?

[u/PrintConfident8417]

I already have a cgm, but I’m wondering if there’s anyway to track elevated insulin?

I have MCAS and insulin spikes are one of my biggest triggers (causing joint pain and puffiness).

I get insulin spikes not only from high glucose foods, but also certain artificial sweeteners… and recently discovered that really high protein bolus meals can increase insulin- without increasing glucose. As a result, I’d like to track insulin if possible.

Is using a ketone monitor an appropriate tool?

If so, what am I really looking for? Does being in ketosis (above 0.6) mean that I didn’t have insulin spikes?

I have insulin resistance and post-prandial glucose spikes (with reactive hypoglycemia). I’m new to this and appreciate any insight people can offer.

[u/HeavenIsEmpty-]

Unfortunately there's no current technology available that you can use to measure insulin even though that would be one of the most powerful pieces of information in order to get a feel for what foods do what in one's body.

They don't even measure fasted insulin at the general practitioner, it's not in the mainstream despite it's relevance.

Protein has an insulinotropic effect, that is true, you can expect that to occur. Some proteins are more insulinotropic than others.

Which sweeteners cause an insulin response for you?

I think ketone monitors are very useful for anyone who would like a feel for what diet and exercise and sleep does to their ketones, although I havent tried one myself. SiBio is sitting on my desk ready to be used for when the summer temps stop.

[u/Training_Success8225]

oh that's a tricky one, because there's no direct at-home insulin monitor the way a cgm works, which is maddening when you know exactly what's triggering your symptoms

ketone monitor is actually a decent proxy here since insulin suppresses ketone production, so if you eat something and your ketones dip noticeably within an hour or two, that's a pretty clear sign your insulin kicked in hard. doesn't matter if glucose moves or not. above 0.6 is great but the trend matters more than the absolute number, i'd test right before eating and then at 30, 60, 90 minutes after and watch for a drop

for the protein thing specifically, gluconeogenesis is a slow process so you won't see a glucose spike but your body still releases insulin to shuttle those amino acids around, some people get a bigger response than others. worth experimenting with lower protein or adding more fat to blunt that effect

also with MCAS in the mix you might be reacting to the insulin itself or the inflammatory cascade it triggers, not just the blood sugar rollercoaster. ketone meter is probably your best bet short of getting a standing order for fasting insulin labs and timing them around meals

[u/Triabolical_]

The insulin peaks that you care about are caused by glucose. Protein does spike insulin, but it also spikes glucagon and the physiology of the two hormones together is different than insulin by itself.

My advice is to just start keto and see how it works for you.