Any thoughts on checking fasting insulin along with an A1c as part of preventative care? A1c seems pretty standard in most PCP offices but not checking a fasting insulin. I recently saw a MorePlatesMoreDates video on IG where he recommended checking a fasting insulin. Not entirely sure how evidence based that is and what you would do with that information once the blood work comes back. And yes, I understand MPMD is not a subject matter expert, but where do you think his thought process is for this and is there data on benefits of checking a fasting insulin?
Checking fasting insulin does not screen for, diagnosis, response to treatment, or predict risk of developing type 2 diabetes better than fasting blood sugar, HbA1C, and other existing tests. There are many problems with the test, e.g. non standardization, normal immunoassay results (on the test) with subnormal insulin activity in vivo, dynamic changes in pancreas function not correlating with these tests over time, etc. This is why fasting insulin levels are not used advised in clinical practice guidelines for diabetes, though the test may be useful for Leprechaunism and Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome.
MPMD is not a subject matter expert in anything pertaining to training, health, and certainly not medicine. He has no clinical experience and related education required to make reasonable recommendations. He is trying to sell people unnecessary testing, supplements, and medications that have real harm. It 0/10, would not recommend.