You don't need all six. But knowing what each measures changes how you talk to your doctor.
What it shows: Baseline blood sugar.
Why it matters: Basic but catches only late-stage problems.
What it shows: How hard your pancreas is working.
Why it matters: Elevated insulin with normal glucose is the earliest signal.
What it shows: Insulin resistance index (calculated from glucose + insulin).
Why it matters: Values around 2.5+ are worth discussing; above 3 is time to act. Thresholds vary by lab.
What it shows: Average blood sugar over 2–3 months.
Why it matters: Catches trends that a single fasting test misses.
What it shows: Indirect marker of insulin resistance.
Why it matters: High triglycerides + low HDL is a bad combination. This is a signal, not a diagnosis — your doctor interprets it in context.
What it shows: Background inflammation.
Why it matters: Visceral fat drives inflammation; this test shows how much.
You don't need all six. If you're choosing three, start with fasting insulin, HbA1c, and triglycerides/HDL — this trio catches the problem earliest.
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