The Hormone No One’s Talking About — But Should Be (Hint: It impacts every single cell in your body.)
Can we talk about a hormone that’s rarely discussed, almost never tested in traditional routine labs, yet influences every cell in your body?
Let’s talk about insulin.
When insulin isn’t functioning optimally, it’s at the root of so many modern health challenges — diabetes, infertility (think PCOS), heart disease, Alzheimer’s (often called “Type 3 diabetes”), high blood pressure, increased abdominal fat, and even cancer. Emerging research suggests that insulin may directly promote the growth of unhealthy cells.
We’ve long known that most chronic diseases share one thing in common: inflammation. But few realize that chronically high insulin can cause inflammation — and it starts long before your blood sugar looks abnormal on routine labs.
What Does Insulin Actually Do?
When you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose, which your cells use for energy. To help move that glucose into your cells, your pancreas releases insulin.
Think of insulin like your body’s delivery driver — it knocks on your cell doors and says, “Hey, I’ve got some energy for you.”
But here’s the problem: if that driver keeps knocking all day long (because of constant snacking, processed foods, or sugary drinks), the cells eventually stop answering the door. They become less sensitive — or resistant — to insulin’s message.
Your body responds by producing more insulin to compensate. The higher the insulin climbs, the more resistance builds — and that’s when trouble starts.
Insulin and Skin Health: A Clue from the Outside
Insulin doesn’t just affect your internal health — it can show up on your skin too.
Studies show that people with higher insulin levels have a significantly higher rate of acne. Why? Elevated insulin stimulates androgen production (especially testosterone), increases oil (sebum) production, and triggers inflammation — all key contributors to acne.
So those stubborn breakouts, especially along the jawline or in adulthood, may actually be a sign that your insulin is running high — not just a skincare issue. Your skin is often the first place to show what’s happening metabolically beneath the surface.
The Silent Phase: “Normal” Labs, Hidden Problems
During this early stage of insulin resistance, blood sugar and A1C can still look “normal.” That’s because your pancreas is working overtime, keeping glucose in range by flooding your body with insulin.
This is why insulin resistance often goes undetected for years — even decades — before the diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes.
At EverWell, I test fasting insulin on every client during their hormone and wellness workup — because waiting until glucose or A1C rises is too late.
And I’m going to go so far as to say this: a fasting insulin level might be one of the most valuable tests you can get.
So why isn’t this standard of care?
Do you know how many women I see who are at a healthy weight, exercising, eating relatively well — and yet have no idea they’re on the road toward insulin resistance or diabetes? The warning signs are right there in their fasting insulin levels, loud and clear. But if we don’t test it, we miss it — and we lose precious years where prevention could have made all the difference.
Here’s a simple example:
Patient A: Fasting glucose 82, A1C 5.7, fasting insulin 2.8
Patient B: Fasting glucose 82, A1C 5.7, fasting insulin 25
Both would be told “everything looks great” in a traditional setting. But only one is truly metabolically healthy. Patient B is likely already on the path toward metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and even cognitive decline — long before their blood sugar raises any red flags.
In fact, a 2009 study found that insulin resistance could be detected up to 13 years before diabetes diagnosis.
Why High Insulin Matters
Chronically high insulin doesn’t just drive up blood sugar. It:
Increases fat storage (especially around the waist)
Stimulates inflammation through reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Activates immune cells that release inflammatory chemicals
Impairs brain function and memory
Accelerates aging and increases risk for cardiovascular disease
Drives non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now one of the fastest-growing conditions in the U.S.
Shows up as acne, skin tags, or dark patches (acanthosis nigricans) — your skin often signals metabolic imbalance before your labs do.
Simply put — poor metabolic health is at the root of almost every modern disease: diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, obesity, fatty liver, and even certain cancers.
The Good News: You Can Improve Metabolic Health
If your insulin is high, it’s not too late. Your body is incredibly resilient when given the right support.
Here are four proven ways to improve insulin sensitivity:
Nourish your body with real food.
Focus on protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Limit processed carbohydrates and sugars that cause repeated insulin spikes.Move daily.
Even walking after meals helps your muscles soak up glucose, reducing the burden on insulin. Strength training is a metabolic superpower.Prioritize sleep and stress reduction.
Poor sleep and chronic stress elevate cortisol, which in turn raises insulin.Know your numbers.
You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Testing fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and A1C gives you a full picture — not just a snapshot.
Why We Test at EverWell
At EverWell Center for Health & Longevity, we believe prevention is modern medicine. We test key hormones like:
Insulin
Thyroid hormones (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)
Sex hormones (Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone)
Vitamin D
Cortisol and DHEA-S (stress hormones)
These messengers all work together — like parts of an engine.
The Engine Analogy: Why Hormones Must Work in Sync
Think of your hormones like the engine of a car — every part needs to function smoothly for optimal performance. If one piece misfires, the whole system runs rough.
That’s why, if you’re considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in perimenopause or menopause, you have to look at the whole picture. What are your other hormones doing? What’s your insulin? What’s your thyroid? How’s your cortisol?
If you add healthy, balanced hormones into an inflamed, metabolically stressed body with dysregulated cortisol, you’re not going to get great results.
It’s like putting a Maserati engine into a Mitsubishi Mirage — technically powerful, but if the foundation isn’t built to support it, the system won’t run the way it should.
That’s the difference between chasing symptoms and creating long-term, optimized health.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re interested in true prevention — not just managing symptoms — let’s start the conversation.
You can book a free 15-minute wellness consultation to discuss your goals and learn which testing option is right for you.
👉 Visit www.EverWellCenterForHealth.com
Click “Schedule / Patient Portal” in the upper right corner, then select “15-Minute Free Consultation.”
Because your future self deserves the gift of prevention — not reaction.
Erica Finnan, AGNP-C
Founder, EverWell Center for Health & Longevity
Helping you live better, longer — from the inside out.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. There is no patient-provider relationship that is formed. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement or medication regimen.