Total and Free Insulin (Blood) Does this test have other names?
Serum insulin level What is this test? This blood test measures
two types of insulin in your body: total and free. Insulin is
found in your body in many forms. Bound insulin is attached to
other proteins. This often occurs in people with diabetes who
are treated with insulin. Free insulin is not attached to other
proteins. Total insulin measures both free and bound insulin.
The hormone insulin plays a key role in keeping your blood sugar
at the right level. Too little insulin leads to a certain type
of diabetes. High levels of insulin can harm your health by
leading to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Why do I need this
test? You may need this test if you have symptoms of low blood
sugar. Symptoms of hypoglycemia often include: Hypoglycemia can
be caused by: Insulin used as a medicine to control diabetes.
Each year, up to 30 percent of people with type 1 diabetes have
a serious episode of hypoglycemia. This also can occur in people
with type 2 d