Very Common
Less Common
Related Observations
Your vet might choose this diagnostic test if you were making these observations.
Diagnostic
Tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what is wrong with your horse, in order to reach a diagnosis.
Cost: $100 to $500
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
YOUR VET MAY PERFORM
Blood Insulin & Glucose Levels
Cost: $100 to $500
These cost ranges are approximate and may vary from region to region.
Additional charges may also apply.
Summary
This test is performed as part of a diagnostic work up for horses suspected of having insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone responsible for the regulation of blood sugar (glucose) levels. An insulin resistant horse is expected to have high insulin levels and high blood sugar levels.
Horses are fasted for at least 8 hours prior to blood sampling. It is important that they not be fed high sugar feeds in the hours prior to testing. Blood is sampled and submitted to a reference laboratory. Insulin levels above a normal range in the face of high or normal glucose indicates insulin resistance. A horse with excessive insulin and very low blood sugar could have an insulin producing tumor.
Horses are fasted for at least 8 hours prior to blood sampling. It is important that they not be fed high sugar feeds in the hours prior to testing. Blood is sampled and submitted to a reference laboratory. Insulin levels above a normal range in the face of high or normal glucose indicates insulin resistance. A horse with excessive insulin and very low blood sugar could have an insulin producing tumor.
Why A Vet Chooses This Diagnostic
Related Diagnostics
Other diagnostic tests that might be used in combination or with this one or instead of this one.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
This test could rule out or confirm any of the following diagnoses.
BENEFITS
This is a relatively simple and cost-effective test for the diagnosis of insulin resistance, a very common problem for domestic horses. It only requires one sample of blood. LIMITATIONS
If horses do not fast prior to the test, the results could be erroneous. Glucose tolerance testing provides more information than this single sample test provides. Complete fasting causes stress, which elevates the stress hormone cortisol which in turn elevates glucose. Therefore one flake of grass hay 8-10 hours prior to testing is recommended.
Related References:
Lavoie JP, Hinchcliff KW eds. Blackwell's 5 Minute Vet Consult: Equine. 2nd Ed. Ames: Wiley Blackwell 2008.
Pers Comm. Ron Vin, Idexx Labs: March 2013.