Average insulin levels
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Average Insulin Levels: Insights from Recent Research
Serum Insulin Levels Post-Exogenous Insulin Administration
Research on serum insulin levels following the administration of exogenous insulin reveals significant variations in peak insulin concentrations. In healthy subjects and newly diagnosed diabetic patients, the peak concentration of serum insulin was observed to be 26.2 ± 2.9 μU/ml 60 minutes after the injection of 10 U of regular insulin. For NPH insulin, peak serum insulin levels occurred between 2 and 9 hours post-injection, with levels significantly correlated with the injected dose. This variability underscores the challenges in maintaining normal blood sugar levels in insulin-deficient diabetic patients.
Insulin Levels in Amniotic Fluid During Pregnancy
Insulin levels in amniotic fluid show a progressive increase throughout pregnancy. Between the 13th and 25th weeks of gestation, insulin levels rise from an average of 1.3 to 5.1 μU/ml. This increase continues from the 27th to the 42nd weeks, reaching levels between 6 and 9.1 μU/ml. The 97th percentile of insulin levels also rises from 11.2 to 18 μU/ml during this period. Notably, lower insulin levels are associated with pregnancy complications such as intrauterine fetal death and placental insufficiency, while elevated levels are observed in conditions like rhesus disease.
Insulin Sensitivity and Levels During the Menstrual Cycle
Studies on insulin sensitivity during the menstrual cycle indicate that mean plasma insulin levels remain relatively stable. In nonobese women aged 19-23 years, mean plasma insulin levels were 84 ± 6 mU/liter during the follicular phase and 86 ± 3 mU/liter during the luteal phase. This stability suggests that insulin-mediated glucose metabolism is unaffected by the menstrual cycle phase.
Basal Insulin Dosage in Diabetes Management
For patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion or once-nightly basal insulin, the mean basal insulin dose is approximately 0.2 U/kg/day to achieve near-normal glycemia. This dosage is significantly lower when meal-related hyperglycemia is minimized through controlled eating and frequent glucose monitoring. The total basal dosage (TBD) typically constitutes about 30% of the total daily dose (TDD) in these patients.
Insulin Secretion Patterns in Normal and Obese Subjects
The 24-hour profiles of insulin secretion reveal that obese subjects have consistently elevated insulin secretion rates compared to normal subjects. Basal insulin secretion in obese individuals is approximately 11.6 ± 1.2 nmol/h, significantly higher than the 5.4 ± 0.5 nmol/h observed in normal subjects. Post-meal insulin secretion rates are also elevated in obese subjects, and insulin secretion does not return to baseline between meals. Despite these differences, the temporal pattern of insulin secretion remains largely similar between obese and normal subjects, indicating that the regulatory mechanisms of insulin secretion are still functional in obesity.
Conclusion
The studies reviewed provide a comprehensive understanding of average insulin levels across different contexts, including post-exogenous insulin administration, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, diabetes management, and obesity. These insights highlight the complexity and variability of insulin dynamics, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches in managing insulin-related conditions.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic