Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — Fasting Insulin

Insulin resistance can develop silently for years before blood sugar becomes abnormal. Learn the symptoms, causes, and health risks — and how at-home fasting insulin testing can help you take control of your metabolic health.

The ZRT Laboratory CardioMetabolic Profile is a convenient finger-prick blood test designed to detect early warning signs of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By measuring key markers such as insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, HbA1c, and inflammation, it provides a comprehensive view of heart and metabolic health, supporting early intervention and personalized preventive care.

 

What is Cardiometabolic Risk? Cardiometabolic risk refers to a collection of conditions linked to obesity and insulin resistance that increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or both. These risks rarely occur in isolation—when one appears, others often follow. That’s why proactive screening is so important.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. However, when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance develops. Insulin resistance is a growing concern worldwide and is closely linked to conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. In this blog, we will delve into the symptoms of insulin resistance and explore the potential of dried blood spot testing as a diagnostic tool. Additionally, we will discuss various treatment options available to manage insulin resistance effectively. Understanding Insulin Resistance: Insulin resistance...

By Dr. Allison Smith, ZRT Laboratory Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is one of the most overlooked variables in hormone health. It directly controls how much testosterone is biologically active in your body — yet it rarely appears on standard blood panels. Whether you're dealing with symptoms of low testosterone, androgen excess, or unexplained hormonal imbalance, understanding SHBG is essential to getting the full picture. What is SHBG? SHBG is a protein produced primarily in the liver that binds tightly to testosterone — and to a lesser degree, oestradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — and carries them through the bloodstream....