Update on this.. received an e-mail today from Lab tests online who the NHS website link to when you query available blood tests..
Interestingly they say
" I’m afraid we don’t provide an analytical service, nor do we oversee tests provided by NHS laboratories. Lab Tests Online-UK is an educational website and we provide information on the use of these tests."
So no idea why the NHS link to their site..
They went on to say
"With regards to the fasted insulin one of our consultants has responded as follows: ‘As we detail on the website,
https://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/conditions/diabetes
Type 2 diabetics do make their own insulin but it is either not in a sufficient amount to meet the individual needs of their body or they have become resistant to its effects. For this reason the presence or amount of insulin in the blood is not proven as being useful in the diagnosis or monitoring of the disease and is therefore not routinely measured.’"
So they seem to say that either we aren't making enough or we are making too much - the distinction would seem to me to be quite important.. i.e. if we aren't making enough then exogenous insulin would be a solution but if we are making too much them giving us more is pretty pointless. However because they can't bothered to measure it what to me looks like a useful measure is never tested for. Sometimes it beggars belief...