From the Guidelines
The non-fasting blood sugar of 98 mg/dL and insulin level of 2.8 μIU/mL appear to be within normal ranges and do not require immediate intervention. According to the 2024 American Heart Association guidelines 1, a normal blood glucose range is 70 to 120 mg/dL, and this patient's value of 98 mg/dL suggests good glycemic control. The insulin level of 2.8 μIU/mL is on the lower end of the normal range but still acceptable for a non-fasting state.
Key Considerations
- No medication is needed at this time, but I recommend following up with a fasting blood glucose test and HbA1c to get a more complete picture of the patient's metabolic health.
- Regular monitoring every 6-12 months would be appropriate for preventive care, especially if there are risk factors for diabetes such as family history, obesity, or sedentary lifestyle.
- The patient should continue maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and appropriate weight management, as reducing caloric intake and increasing physical activity can decrease insulin resistance and improve glucose control 1.
Additional Recommendations
- These values suggest the pancreatic beta cells are functioning adequately to maintain normal blood glucose levels, though the relatively low insulin level could warrant monitoring to ensure insulin sensitivity remains optimal over time.
- It is essential to note that hyperglycemia and insulin resistance are related to numerous cardiovascular complications, including CHD, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, cardiomyopathy, and heart failure 1.
From the Research
Patient's Blood Sugar and Insulin Levels
- The patient has a non-fasting blood sugar level of 98 and a non-fasting insulin level of 2.8.
- These values are within the normal range, but it's essential to consider them in the context of the patient's overall health and medical history.
Relevant Studies
- A study published in 2023 2 discussed the role of metformin in managing type 2 diabetes, highlighting its effectiveness in lowering blood glucose levels without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
- Another study from 2025 3 provided an overview of insulin therapy, including its use in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and the importance of considering individual patient needs when selecting an insulin regimen.
- A 2017 study 4 investigated the impact of lifestyle and metformin interventions on the risk of progressing to diabetes and regressing to normal glucose regulation in overweight or obese individuals with impaired glucose regulation.
- A 2021 study 5 emphasized the importance of addressing obesity in the management of diabetes, as weight loss can improve glycemic control and reduce the need for diabetes medications.
- A 2023 study 6 examined the effects of metformin on glycemic variability in combination with insulin in overweight/obese patients with type 1 diabetes, finding that metformin had a favorable effect on glycemic variability and reduced systolic blood pressure and total daily dose insulin.
Key Findings
- Metformin is a commonly used medication for managing type 2 diabetes, and it has been shown to be effective in lowering blood glucose levels without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia 2.
- Insulin therapy is a crucial component of diabetes management, and individual patient needs should be considered when selecting an insulin regimen 3.
- Lifestyle and metformin interventions can delay or prevent the progression to diabetes in overweight or obese individuals with impaired glucose regulation 4.
- Addressing obesity is essential in the management of diabetes, as weight loss can improve glycemic control and reduce the need for diabetes medications 5.
- Metformin can have a favorable effect on glycemic variability in combination with insulin in overweight/obese patients with type 1 diabetes 6.