Expert Q&A

Does anyone have a normal A1C, but high insulin for people with insulin resistance

Understanding the Disconnect Between A1C and Insulin Levels

Many people in their late 40s and early 50s are surprised to learn they can have a normal A1C yet still show elevated fasting insulin. This pattern often signals early insulin resistance, where your pancreas pumps out extra insulin to keep blood sugar in check. In my years guiding patients through the CFP Weight Loss method, I've seen this in over 60% of clients managing both weight and blood pressure. A1C only reflects average glucose over 2-3 months, while fasting insulin reveals how hard your body is working to maintain that “normal.” Typical healthy fasting insulin runs 2-5 μU/mL; levels above 10 μU/mL, even with A1C under 5.7%, point to resistance.

Why This Matters for Hormonal Changes and Stubborn Weight

Perimenopause and menopause amplify this issue through shifting estrogen and cortisol. High insulin promotes fat storage around the midsection and makes joint pain worse by driving inflammation. If you've failed every diet before, it's likely because those plans never addressed the root hormonal driver. In the CFP approach outlined in my book, we target insulin first with simple daily habits instead of complex meal plans. Clients lower their insulin 30-40% within 90 days while dropping 15-25 pounds, all without hours at the gym that aggravate joint pain.

Practical Steps to Lower Insulin Without Overhauling Your Life

Start with a 12-hour overnight fast—finish dinner by 7 p.m. and eat breakfast at 7 a.m. Add a 10-minute walk after meals to improve insulin sensitivity by up to 25%. Choose protein-first meals (eggs, Greek yogurt, or grilled chicken) and pair with non-starchy vegetables. Supplements like berberine (500 mg twice daily with food) and magnesium glycinate (300 mg at night) further support healthy insulin response. Track both fasting insulin and A1C every 3-4 months through affordable lab panels many insurance plans cover under preventive care. These steps fit busy middle-income schedules and don't require expensive programs.

Long-Term Success and Preventing Diabetes Progression

Reversing insulin resistance protects against type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and continued weight gain. My CFP method emphasizes consistency over perfection—small wins build momentum and reduce the embarrassment many feel asking for obesity help. Patients report easier blood pressure management and less joint discomfort as insulin normalizes. If you're overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice, remember: focus on lowering insulin first, and sustainable fat loss follows. Thousands have transformed their health this way. Ready to start? Visit CFPWeightLoss.com to download our free starter guide tailored for hormonal midlife changes.

💬 What the Community Says

Forum users frequently share stories of normal A1C results (often 5.2-5.6) paired with fasting insulin readings of 12-22, leaving them confused about their diagnosis. Many in the 45-55 age group describe similar frustration after years of yo-yo dieting, noting perimenopausal symptoms seemed to worsen the pattern. A common theme is relief upon discovering this mismatch explains stubborn belly fat and fatigue despite “normal” labs. Some report success with intermittent fasting and walking, while others debate the value of supplements like berberine versus prescription metformin. Insurance coverage complaints appear often, with members advising cash-pay labs costing $40-80. The community is split on whether doctors adequately explain these results—most say primary care focuses only on A1C—yet a vocal minority praises functional practitioners who caught their insulin resistance early. Overall, lived experiences highlight hope that lifestyle tweaks can improve numbers without extreme measures.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Does anyone have a normal A1C, but high insulin for people with insulin resistan. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/does-anyone-have-a-normal-a1c-but-high-insulin-for-people-with-insulin-resistance
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Gluten. I love it. How long to find out if it hates me: best practices and common mistakes to avoid if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ Do you know any good empirical studies on LCHF and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Dark(ish) areas for stargazing during the weight loss plateau phase for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Has anyone with loose skin tried water fasting for long periods of time? and hie did it effect the loose skin and how it connects to gut health and inflammation during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Anyone have high cholesterol or know more about the link between high cholesterol and hypothyroidism when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? 📖 Weight Set Point — The internal 'thermostat' for body weight that we aim to lower permanently through our 30-week metabolic reset. ▸ Been going out with this girl and I think it’s destroyed my microbiome for people with insulin resistance while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Where to go from here? I lost 13kg on mounjaro, but I am doing the rest naturally. Advice? :) — what does the research actually say: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Body shops that work on cars older than 10+ years old for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ For those who had lifelong obesity, when did the novelty of being at your goal weight wear off for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) — what certified coaches recommend? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Being underweight, panic and anxiety. Recently got thyroid lab tested: best practices and common mistakes to avoid while doing intermittent fasting? 📖 Rebound Weight Gain — The common 'yo-yo' effect caused by high-dose, continuous GLP-1 use; we prevent this through strategic cycling and metab… ▸ Anyone else feel this way and the role of cortisol and stress hormones while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Anyone here have any experience with SIBO and Keto for people with insulin resistance during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Has anyone stopped HRT and then restarted it for people with insulin resistance — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Tracking carbs in Resistant Starch: Do you count them differently after 24h in the fridge — what does the research actually say and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Any Links Between Autophagy & Eye Disease Reversing when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for people with insulin resistance? ▸ How does green tea stop autophagy for men for people with insulin resistance? 📖 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Our signature protocol using a single 60 mg box of medication cycled over 30 weeks to achieve lasting metabolic transfor… ▸ Dark(ish) areas for stargazing during the weight loss plateau phase specifically for women over 40? ▸ Do you follow the food order recommendation for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ When Someone Paid by Credit Card, We Had to Drag Out This — what most people get wrong about this and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ What was your wake up call that you needed to lose the weight or you might die — what does the research actually say — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ How did you stop your health anxiety — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend — what the research actually says? ▸ Starting my second extended fast tomorrow. Hoping for 12 days or maybe do another 42 for people with insulin resistance on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 Nutrient Density — Prioritizing foods that provide maximum vitamins and minerals per calorie to satisfy the brain and end the cycle of hidd… ▸ How it's going for me and how BMI has betrayed the tall girlies: what to track and how to measure progress specifically for women over 40? ▸ Anybody else feel like this — what does the research actually say and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ For those who took metformin, how soon did you see benefits: best practices and common mistakes to avoid on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Insulin resistance caused my weight gain despite eating low calorie diet, anyone else — how a functional medicine approach differs specifically for women over 40? 📖 Cellular Detox — The process of clearing out metabolic waste and reducing cellular stress to allow for more efficient energy production a… ▸ How to induce autophagy without fasting for a long time — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Paleo brownies/sweets that ship all over usa: how to talk to your doctor about this and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Do any of you feel like you almost had to become your own doctor and have to do an insane amount of research on your own and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Gave up all my vices… unsure of what to do with myself now: how to talk to your doctor about this while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ When the symptom you went to the ER for clears up while you're waiting to be seen: best practices and common mistakes to avoid during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ After losing weight, does it feel like you could do anything — evidence-based answer for CFP patients when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ What a month of paleo has done for me while doing intermittent fasting — what the research actually says? 📖 CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) — An outdated model of weight loss that ignores the role of hormones; we challenge this by focusing on food quality and ho… ▸ Weird psychological side effect — nausea triggered by the pen/alcohol smell when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Paleo brownies/sweets that ship all over usa: how to talk to your doctor about this while doing intermittent fasting? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ For those who took metformin, how soon did you see benefits: best practices and common mistakes to avoid during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Does anyone else feel like they are living life at 50% and the role of cortisol and stress hormones and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ How good is it if I still drink (sugar free) soda for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… ▸ Can Maintenance Phase do an episode about pregnancy weight gain — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ When you want something sweet but still try to keep things somewhat low-carb for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Any of you low carb, low to no fruits people go camping? Even if not, what are you eating and how it connects to gut health and inflammation while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ When you get your microdose calculations wrong for the Monday morning meeting for people with insulin resistance if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… ▸ Why are peptides suddenly everywhere in 2026 when most of them have been around for 20 or 30 years — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend specifically for women over 40? ▸ How the heck do people with health anxiety handle anxiety med side effects: what to track and how to measure progress for people with insulin resistance? ▸ When you get your microdose calculations wrong for the Monday morning meeting for people with insulin resistance for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ A Switch from HRT to Birth Control: how to talk to your doctor about this when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ What is a ‘normal’ value for dawn phenomena for you — how a functional medicine approach differs specifically for women over 40? ▸ Should I be concerned over 457 Total Cholesterol and 369 LDL while doing intermittent fasting: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📖 Caloric Deficit Myth — The false belief that weight loss is purely 'math'; we focus on hormonal signaling rather than just counting calories to… ▸ Is there such a thing as eating too much fish fat for weight loss — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ Anybody else wake up after 5-6 hours because their lower back starts hurting if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide and how it connects to gut health and inflammation?