|
Discussion on Low insulin level
|
Author |
Message |
Member: terric
|
Posted on Wednesday, Dec 18, 2013 - 11:16 am:
My 19 year old paint mare just had blood work for glucose and insulin levels. Her glucose serum and plasma levels were in range at 79 however her insulin level was out of range at <4.6. I am not really sure what this means and have been trying to do some research before I talk to my vet so I have some understanding. Everything I have read so far talks about high insulin levels. I was hoping you could direct me to the proper articles or advice to educate myself on this. Prior to the blood work the vet was checking on her seedy toe prior to the farrier visit. She has this in both front feet, and is currently on a low sugar diet. The vet wanted to make sure there were no other underlying issues. The day of the blood work she had her AM feeding at 7:00 approximately 1 large flake of alfalfa and blood work was drawn at 12:00. Her weight is just right she is not fat and has no fat deposits and she is not too thin. She currently eats 1 flake of alfalfa AM, out all day in a pasture with little to no grass and PM feed is 1 flake alfalfa, scoop of safechoice grain with beet pulp (total grain-beet pulp 1.5 lb) Any advise is appreciated.
|
Moderator: DrO
|
Posted on Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - 7:18 am:
Hello Terric, It does not mean anything other than the test is not sensitive below that level. It is suggestive you horse is not insulin resistant. Insulin levels normally vary tremendously depending on a number of factors but mainly the blood glucose level. When glucose is not elevated or low insulin levels can DrOp sometimes to almost 0. What are the units in your test and printed normal range? Check out HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Endocrine System » Equine Metabolic SynDrOme and Insulin Resistance where you will find a graph of insulin levels in healthy control ponies and one of those appears to be at 0. DrO
|
Member: terric
|
Posted on Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 - 10:57 am:
Dr. o, The reference range for the Glucose, serum is 60-120, hers was 79. The Glucose, plasma was the same. Units shows mg/dl. Insulin reference range is 10.0-30.0, units ulU/ML hers was <4.6.. Thanks for the info. Terri
|
|