The following post is from Step Three of The Blood Code: Unlock the secrets of your metabolism. I know this seems complicated at first sight but once you know your placement, you can act accordingly and move toward your metabolic recovery.
Are You Insulin Resistant?
You show no insulin resistance if your Blood Code reveals:
- Fasting glucose is between 75–95 mg/dL (4.2–5.3 mmol/L).
- TG:HDL ratio is near 1.0, +/- 0.5.
- Fasting insulin is between 3–8 uIU/mL (18–48 pmol/L).
- HgbA1C level is less than 5.6% (<37 mmol/mol).
- Glucose/insulin as HOMA-IR is near 1 (.5–1.5).
- Your total body fat is <28% for men and <32% for women.
You show slight insulin resistance if you have two or more of the following:
- Fasting glucose is greater than 95 mg/dL (5.3 mmol/L).
- TG:HDL ratio is greater than 2.
- Fasting insulin is greater than 8 uIU/mL (>48 pmol/L).
- HgbA1C level is greater than 5.5% (>36 mmol/mol).
- HOMA-IR is greater than 1.5.
- The skin fold at your hip is greater than that at your triceps (by at least 5 mm).
You show moderate insulin resistance if you have three or more of the following:
- Fasting glucose is greater than 100 mg/dL (>5.6 mmol/L).
- TG:HDL ratio is 3 or greater.
- Fasting insulin is greater than 10 uIU/mL (>60 pmol/L).
- HgbA1C level is greater than 5.7% (>39 mmol/mol).
- HOMA-IR is greater than 2.5.
- The skin fold at your hip measures near twice that at your triceps.
You show severe insulin resistance if you have three or more of the following:
- Fasting glucose is greater than 110 mg/dL (>6.1 mmol/L). Greater than 125 mg/dL (>7.0 mmol/L) is diabetes.*
- TG:HDL ratio is greater than 4.
- Fasting insulin is greater than 12 uIU/mL (>72 pmol/L).
- HgbA1C level is greater than 6.0% (>42 mmol/mol). Greater than 6.4% (>46 mmol/mol) is diagnostic of diabetes.*
- HOMA-IR is greater than 3.
- The skin fold at your hip measures over twice that at your triceps.
What can you do to lower the level of 5.7 is it fasting, lower alcohol exercise, or is there nothing that can be done????
Hi Bruce,
I am a lean active formerly prediabetic guy and my A1c hovers around 5.7% (down from 6%). This is fine – There is no scientific or clinical evidence to suggest that 5.0% is healthier than 5.7%. IF it goes to 5.9% or higher, my heart disease risk is higher. So I need to stay attentive: Keep my carbs and alcohol in check (I follow the carb range for moderate insulin resistance) and maintain a regular circuit-style fitness routine (Blood Code Steps 4 & 5).
If your baseline is 5.7%, you, like I, probably have the insulin resistance trait in your family. Check your Progress Panel annually to assure you are on the right track. Watch out for “If low is good than lower is better” – good enough is very noble goal!