To insulin resistance this is a change in metabolism is common in persons with overweight, obesity, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. It happens when the tissues, such as muscle, liver and adipose tissue are no longer responding to the insulin that is just as effective as they should be.
The Tirzepatida came under the spotlight because, in addition to the encouragement of weight loss and lower glucose, studies have shown improvement in parameters related to the insulin resistance.
This is not to say, however, that the Tirzepatida to “cure” the problem automatically. The answer depends on the medical condition, weight, diet, physical activity, presence of diabetes, and a host of other factors.
In this article, you'll find out how in this picture, metabolic functions, such as the Tirzepatida the influence of this process, the role of weight loss and what the latest research shows.
- Important: this content has for informational purposes only and does not replace the assessment, or follow-up medical care. The Tirzepatida offers advice and should not be used, simply on the basis of the results of isolated insulin or blood sugar levels.
What is insulin resistance?
To insulin resistance it happens when the body's cells do not respond properly to the action of insulin.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. One of its main functions is to help the glucose present in the blood into cells, where it can also be used as a source of energy.
When there is a insulin resistancethe body has to produce more insulin in order to keep your glucose under control.
Over time, the pancreas can compensate for this problem.
But over the course of the year, this compensation may become insufficient, and the glucose can begin to grow.
It is in this context that it can appear in a pre-diabetes, and, according to some people, type 2 diabetes.
The NIDDK explains why the problem occurs when the cells of the muscles, fat, and liver don't respond properly to insulin.
This is the same thing as diabetes?
No.
A person may have low insulin sensitivity and without diabetes.
At first, the pancreas may produce larger amounts of insulin and to be able to maintain glucose within the range considered to be normal.
The problem is that such an effort could not be sustained indefinitely.
Pre-diabetes occurs when glucose is already higher than normal, but still did not reach the criteria used to diagnose type 2 diabetes.
We can imagine a possible progression:
normal sensitivity to insulin → insulin resistance → pre-diabetes → type 2 diabetes
This does not mean that everyone necessarily pass through all these stages).
Lifestyle changes and treatments can significantly alter its path.
What are the factors that are related to your problem.
There are many different factors that are associated with the development of the changes in the response to insulin.
Among these are:
- excess weight or obesity.
- increased abdominal girth;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- a family history of diabetes;
- age:
- changes in sleep
- some of the hormonal conditions;
- polycystic ovarian syndrome;
- long-term use of certain medications.
The NIDDK also cites a excess weight, a large waist circumference, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes and some other conditions endocrine-related factors associated with it.
The excess visceral fat that is located around the organs, has an important relationship with metabolic disorders.
But that body weight is not the only factor.
There are some people thin and with this picture, and for people with obesity, which may have different degrees of sensitivity to insulin.
How to Tirzepatida work?
The Tirzepatida is an agonist of the receptor GIP and GLP-1.
These hormones are part of the system of the incretinas, and participate in, among other things, the control of the glucose.
According to the Fda, the Tirzepatida:
- it increases the sensitivity of pancreatic beta cells to glucose;
- it increases the secretion of insulin is the first-and second-phase.
- it reduces the levels of glucagon in a manner dependent upon that of glucose;
- it improves the sensitivity to insulin;
- it slows down the gastric emptying time;
- reduce the intake of food.
- increase the saturation.
These effects will help you to understand why it is the body's response to insulin, it may be better during the treatment.
Tirzepatida improvement in insulin resistance?
The studies also suggest that it was.
In a new study published by 2025, from SURMOUNT-1 was evaluated in adults with overweight or obesity who did not have type 2 diabetes.
After 72 weeks of treatment with Tirzepatida has been associated with improved insulin sensitivity, and also of the measures related to the function of the beta cells of the pancreas.
An interesting detail is that the improvement in insulin sensitivity was mainly related to the reduction of the weight, but the effect seemed to be related to treatment.
This shows that the improvement of metabolism depends not only on the lower glucose”.
Weight loss also has a role to play.
What is the relationship between weight loss and insulin resistance?
Weight loss can significantly improve the body's response to insulin.
When there is a decrease in body fat, particularly the visceral fat tissues such as the liver and the muscles, they can better respond to the hormone.
It is for this reason that the nutrition, physical activity, and weight control are the main strategies to improve the insulin resistance and to reduce the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes.
In the case of the Tirzepatida, there is a combination of the effects of it.
This medicine may reduce your appetite, and energy intake, promoting weight loss.
At the same time, it has pharmacological effects that are related to the secretion of the insulin-to-glucagon, and the sensitivity of tissues to insulin.
What happened to the SURMOUNT-1?
The SURMOUNT-1 is one of the leading studies of the Tirzepatida in people with obesity or overweight and without diabetes.
In a further analysis, we evaluated 2.539 participants with pre-diabetes or glucose to normal at the start of the study.
The researchers used a test of glucose tolerance, and mathematical modeling to examine the role of beta-cells and insulin sensitivity.
After 72 weeks, and the Tirzepatida has been associated with improvement in these two parameters.
The researchers found that the improvement in insulin sensitivity occurred, especially with the weight loss, as improving the function of the beta cells appear to be more closely linked to the treatment.
It is important to remember that we are talking about an analysis of a clinical study and the parameters used in the research.
They should not be converted to a diagnosis of the individual.
People with diabetes have type 2?
Similar results were observed in studies with people who have had type 2 diabetes.
An analysis of the SURPASS-2 compared Tirzepatida with semaglutida 1 mg.
After 40 weeks, there was a further reduction in the HOMA2-IR among the participants who received the Tirzepatida.
The groups Tirzepatida fell by about 15.5% more than the 24% on this label, while in the group of semaglutida 1 mg) was reduced by approximately about 5.1%.
There was also an improvement of markers that are related to the function of the beta cells.
In another study, SURPASS-1, and found the improvement in markers of both the function of the beta cells and insulin sensitivity, with Tirzepatida used as monotherapy in people with type 2 diabetes.
What is the beta cells of the pancreas?
The beta cells located in the pancreas, and is responsible for the production of insulin.
When glucose increases, especially after a meal, these cells receive signals for the release of the hormone.
In type 2 diabetes, there are two major components:
- insulin resistance;
- progressive loss of the ability of the beta cell to compensate for this change.
For this reason, to improve, and only one of these components does not always explain all of the control of metabolism.
The study of the Tirzepatida to show the effects of parameters related to both insulin sensitivity and the function of the beta cells.
The Tirzepatida causes the body to produce more insulin?
It is the most specific of which is simply to produce more insulin, and the all-time”.
The Tirzepatida increase in the secretion of insulin in a way dependent on the glucose.
This means that it is related to the levels of blood sugar.
The drug also lowers glucagon in a manner dependent on glucose.
This is different from the book and stimulate our pancreas, regardless of the amount of glucose present.
However, when the Tirzepatida it is used along with insulin or sulfonilureias, the risk of hypoglycemia may be increased.
The Fda even states that it can be necessary, a reduction of these drugs in certain situations in order to mitigate this risk.
What is the role of glucagon?
The glucagon is another hormone produced by the pancreas.
While the insulin participates in the mechanisms that help to reduce the glucose in the blood, glucagon helps in increasing the availability of glucose when it is needed.
In people with type 2 diabetes, the regulation of this system can be changed.
The Tirzepatida decreases in the levels of glucagon in a manner dependent on the glucose, thus contributing to its effect on the control of blood glucose levels.
Insulin resistance do you have symptoms?
Often, they don't.
The NIDDK stresses that people insulin resistance and pre-diabetes usually have no symptoms in particular.
This means that one can spend years with metabolic alterations without notice.
Some of the signs or conditions that may appear, but they are not enough to confirm this is the problem.
It is not possible to diagnose such a change is only by looking at the symptoms.
How do you know if there is a low sensitivity to the insulin that is?
In clinical practice, there is not a single study that is used routinely to diagnose insulin resistance of all the people.
The NIDDK says that the test for the measure of this metabolic response are mostly used in the surveys.
In the routine, the professionals are able to evaluate the risk of metabolic by-factors, and tests, such as:
- fasting blood glucose;
- hemoglobin glicada;
- test and oral glucose tolerance in some cases.
- lipid profile;
- blood pressure;
- the abdominal circumference;
- weight:
- the history of the family.
Pre-diabetes, for example, by the NIDDK that describes the values of HbA1c between the 5.7% and 6.4% in and the fasting blood glucose is between 100 to 125 mg/dL) the criteria used.
HOMA-IR confirms the diagnosis?
It should not be interpreted only as a final diagnosis.
The HOMA-IR is calculated from glucose and insulin fasting and it is widely used in scientific studies.
The problem is that the reference values may vary according to:
- population:
- methodology
- the laboratory;
- the characteristics of the individual.
For this reason, an isolated result needs to be interpreted within the clinical context.
The major studies of the Tirzepatida use a different patterns and markers to investigate insulin resistance.
Insulin sensitivity may improve before you lose a lot of weight?
There is also evidence that some of the improvement you can get started very early.
In a small study, published in the year 2025, we used a technique called clamp hiperinsulinêmico-euglicêmicoconsidered to be a valuable tool in the research on insulin sensitivity.
Participants with obesity and type 2 diabetes were used Tirzepatida a period of 12 weeks.
Insulin sensitivity is improved significantly over that period of time.
The study was done in 16 participants who completed the follow-up and, therefore, the results need to be interpreted with caution.
Furthermore, the data suggest that the metabolic effects that may not solely depend on a lot of weight in the accumulator.
Tirzepatida prevent type 2 diabetes?
This theme requires caution.
Improve it insulin resistanceto reduce your weight and control glucose may enhance the factors that are associated with the development of diabetes.
But that doesn't mean that anyone using the Tirzepatida you will be permanently protected from the disease.
People with pre-diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but sustainable changes in weight, diet, and physical activity, may reduce this risk.
The follow-up needs to consider in the framework of the individual, and the results from time to time.
Prediabetes can go back to normal.
It can be done.
People with pre-diabetes, you can go back to the present values of glucose within the range considered to be normal, especially when there is improvement in body weight, diet, physical activity, and appropriate treatment.
But “they "normalize" a test” doesn't necessarily mean that all of the risk factors, are gone for ever.
To insulin resistance you may return to worsen, if you experience a significant increase in body weight, decreased physical activity, or other metabolic changes.
For this reason, maintenance is still important.
Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity?
Yes.
Physical activity is one of the main tools to improve the body's response to insulin.
During the exercise, the muscles will increase the use of glucose.
In addition, regular physical activity raises metabolic adaptations that can enhance your sensitivity to insulin.
The NIDDK that includes physical activity, healthy diet, weight control and proper sleep among the strategies to prevent or improve on insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.
This means that the use of Tirzepatida does not make the exercise I need.
Medicine and life-style, you can be a part of the same strategy.
Weight training will also help with?
Yes.
The muscle is a key tissue involved in glucose utilization.
Strength training helps to preserve or increase lean body mass and may contribute to the health of metabolism.
This makes it particularly important for the weight loss, because part of the weight savings can be involved in lean muscle mass.
To preserve the muscle, it is important not only for the aesthetics, or the power, but also for functionality, and the body's metabolism.
Read more: How to not lose muscle, using Tirzepatida.
Do I have to cut the carbohydrates to improve this situation?
Don't have to be.
Carbohydrates you don't have to be completely deleted in order to increase the sensitivity to insulin.
The most important thing is the diet program as a whole.
Care about factors such as:
- the quality of the food.
- amount;
- fibers
- the degree of processing;
- intake of energy use.
- the response of the individual.
A power supply may include rice, beans, fruits, nuts, oatmeal, breads, and other foods that contain carbohydrates, as well as to make a part of a nutritional plan that is appropriate.
Diet is extremely restrictive, they are not required to treat it insulin resistance.
Lose abdominal fat to help?
The reduction in the visceral fat tends to be associated with the improvement of metabolism.
This fat is linked to various inflammatory processes and alterations in the body's response to insulin.
For this reason, when a person has an excess of visceral fat makes you thin, it is not uncommon to see an improvement in several parameters of the metabolic.
The Tirzepatida promotes the loss of significant amount of weight in the study and control of chronic weight, which is likely to contribute to the improvement of the insulin resistance watch.
Is it possible to improve, even without diabetes?
Yes.
The SURMOUNT-1 is analyzed exactly for people with obesity or overweight, who did not have type 2 diabetes.
Among participants with pre-diabetes, or blood sugar to normal, there was an improvement in insulin sensitivity and the parameters related to the function of the beta cells.
This result shows that the changes in metabolism can be improved, even before the development of diabetes.
But that doesn't mean that you Tirzepatida to be used by anyone to simply “improving insulin”.
There are specific indications, risks, and the need for professional judgment.
The Tirzepatida is specifically designed for this problem?
In Brazil, the indications are approved, they are not just “treat insulin resistance”.
Mounjaro it was first recorded by the brazilian health surveillance agency, to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
Later on, she received nomination for the control of chronic and weight of adults who meet the criteria determined by the BMI, and comorbidities.
So, anyone don't should look for the medicine, just because a test showed insulin is high.
The improvement of the insulin resistance this is an effect of the age is important, but it does not represent per se an independent indication for the drug.
Insulin is high, it always means resistance to the insulin that is?
Don't have to be.
The interpretation depends on a number of factors, including the following:
- glucose;
- the time of their collection;
- power
- drugs
- hormonal conditions;
- the clinical context.
An insulin-fasting, high-information that is worth investigating, but it should not be interpreted in isolation.
In the same way, it is a result of insulin, apparently can't, you can delete yourself with all of the metabolic abnormalities.
What is the Tirzepatida is broken?
The metabolic benefits may change after removing.
Maintenance studies show that the disruption of the Tirzepatida often, this is followed by the recovery of a portion of the weight is lost.
As the body weight has a major impact on the insulin resistancea regained important, it can also affect the parameters of metabolism.
This finding supports that of obesity and metabolic disorders often require long-term strategies.
Read more: How to avoid the rebound effect in losing weight with Tirzepatida.
Insulin resistance can be “cured”?
It is best to avoid the word “cure” in this context.
Insulin sensitivity can be greatly improved, and the tests may be normal.
But the risk of metabolic depends on a number of factors which can change throughout one's life.
The best way to think about it in the improvement and control of the insulin resistance, it is not a guarantee that she would never be able to come back.
To maintain a healthy weight, physical activity, sleep, nutrition, and coaching continues to be important to you.
Frequently asked questions
Tirzepatida improvement in insulin resistance?
Studies have shown improvement in parameters related to insulin sensitivity during the treatment period, both in people with type 2 diabetes and in people with obesity or overweight and without diabetes.
The improvement is only true because people lose weight?
Not all of it. In the analysis, the SURMOUNT a-1, a large part of the improvement was associated with a reduction in weight, but it also seemed to be related to treatment.
Do I need to have diabetes to show improvement?
No. Studies in people without diabetes have also found improvement in insulin sensitivity.
The resistance to the insulin that is giving the symptoms?
Often there are no symptoms of a specific topic.
Can you tell by the HOMA-IR?
The HOMA-IR may provide you with information on the response to insulin, but should not be interpreted in isolation as a diagnostic of the universal.
Exercise is still important Tirzepatida?
Yes. Physical activity-continues to be an important strategy for health, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity.
I need to cut sugar and carbs completely?
There is no universal need to delete all of the carbs. The power supply must take into account the context and the needs of the individual.
Conclusion
To insulin resistance it is one of the main mechanisms involved in the development of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
The Tirzepatida works in an interesting way, in this scenario, because it combines the effect on GIP and GLP-1, and secretion of insulin, glucagon, appetite, body weight, and insulin sensitivity.
Studies in people with type 2 diabetes, and also in those with obesity or overweight and without diabetes showed an improvement of markers that are related to the insulin resistance during the treatment period.
A significant part of this improvement appears to be linked to weight loss.
But the polls also suggest that the metabolic effects that cannot be accounted for merely by the loss.
It doesn't make a Tirzepatida a medicine that is indicated for any person with a “high insulin”.
In Brazil, there are specific instructions for the type-2 diabetes, and control of chronic weight.
In addition to this, food, exercise, sleep, and maintaining the weight is still important, even during the treatment.
The goal is not just to get a better examination.
This is to improve the health, metabolism, and build a strategy that is sustainable for the long term.
References
- The brazilian National agency of Sanitary Surveillance (Anvisa) — Mounjaro® (tirzepatida): re-appointment.
- The brazilian National agency of Sanitary Surveillance (Anvisa) — Mounjaro® (tirzepatida): a new record.
- Mari A, et al. — Tirzepatide Treatment and the Associated Changes in β-Cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity in People With Obesity or Overweight With Prediabetes or Normoglycemia, 2025.
- SURPASS-2 — analysis of the role of the beta-cells and insulin sensitivity.
- SURPASS-1 — Tirzepatida single marker and metabolism.
- NIDDK — Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes.
- The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — Mounjaro® Prescribing Information.
Content is up-to-date in August, 2026.
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