Which type of diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance?

Which type of diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance?

• A. Type 1
• B. Type 2
• C. Gestational diabetes
• D. Secondary diabetes

Answer: (B)

Insulin resistance is the defining feature of Type 2 diabetes. In this form, the body's cells don’t respond well to insulin, so glucose remains in the bloodstream even though insulin is present. The pancreas often compensates by producing more insulin at first, but over time beta-cell function can decline, leading to sustained high blood glucose. This contrasts with Type 1 diabetes, where the problem is autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells and there’s little to no insulin production. Gestational diabetes arises from hormones during pregnancy that raise insulin resistance and typically resolves after delivery. Secondary diabetes results from another medical condition or medication. Therefore, insulin resistance points to Type 2 as the correct answer.

Insulin resistance is the defining feature of Type 2 diabetes. In this form, the body's cells don’t respond well to insulin, so glucose remains in the bloodstream even though insulin is present. The pancreas often compensates by producing more insulin at first, but over time beta-cell function can decline, leading to sustained high blood glucose. This contrasts with Type 1 diabetes, where the problem is autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing cells and there’s little to no insulin production. Gestational diabetes arises from hormones during pregnancy that raise insulin resistance and typically resolves after delivery. Secondary diabetes results from another medical condition or medication. Therefore, insulin resistance points to Type 2 as the correct answer.