Hyperinsulinemia

Hyperinsulinemia is the condition of having persistently elevated insulin levels in the bloodstream, resulting from the body's compensatory attempt to overcome insulin resistance by producing excess insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It is a central feature of PCOS, present in the majority of women with the condition regardless of weight, and directly drives many characteristic symptoms: excess insulin signals the ovaries to overproduce androgens, suppresses SHBG production (freeing more active testosterone), disrupts normal ovulation, and promotes inflammation. Addressing hyperinsulinemia through insulin-sensitizing approaches—including low-glycemic eating, regular exercise, and sometimes metformin or inositol—is fundamental to managing PCOS at its metabolic root.