(hī‵pĕr-in-sŭ-lĭ-nē'mē-ă )

[hyper- + insulin + -emia]

An elevated blood insulin level that is out of proportion to blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia have been linked to hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, and increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with type 2 DM.

Treatment: Diet, exercise, and some oral antidiabetic drugs (such as thiazolidinediones) increase the sensitivity of body tissues to the effects of insulin and decrease hyperinsulinemia.

SEE: hyperinsulinism.