There is no simple test to diagnose insulin resistance. Your doctor may suspect you are insulin resistant if you have three of the following:

• A waist size of 101 cm or more in men and 89 cm or more in women
• Increased levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)
• Low HDL cholesterol levels (Less than 1.2 mmols/l for men and 1.7 mmols/l for women)
• High blood pressure of 149/95 or higher, or being treated for high blood pressure
• Fasting blood glucose levels of 5.5 mmols/l or above, or being treated for diabetes
• A fasting glucose to insulin ratio of 0.5 or below
• Weight gain usually distributed around the abdomen
• Difficulty losing weight
• Tiredness (especially in the afternoon or after a meal containing carbohydrates)
• Weakness
• Bloating
• Irritability and mood swings
• Constant hunger
• Difficulty concentrating
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Depression
• Skin tags
• Sugar and stimulant cravings such as chocolate, sweets, coffee and cigarettes

Please note: Not all these are signs of being insulin resistant, but those such as hypertension are often associated with this condition, and may either precede or arise out of insulin resistance.