melgp

Hi brbangle,
I have been trying to figure out what is happening with your low fasting insulin levels. I am inclined to think that you could still have a low insulin level when you fast but still be ir, so it depends on what your results came back like after eating or doing glucose tolerance test. Here's a bit more info from the pcos book I have:
"Our glucose & insulin levels rise and fall whenever we eat, over the next few hours. Carbs & proteins in food stimulate the secretion of insulin, and insulin drives the transport of glucose & amino acids into our cells, as well as the storage of glucose in the liver and our muscles.....
Like a lock and key mechanism, most body cells have special 'receptors' for insulin. Once the lock is engaged - insulin attaches itself to the receptor- the gates open, allowing glucose to flow into the cell. The higher the concentration of insulin receptors, the more insulin sensitive you are.
If the no. of ins. receptors is lower than normal or they are compromised in some way, then the cells are said to be 'insulin resistant'. The pancreas, the organ that secretes insulin, responds to this situation by secreting more insulin in an effort to overcome the block and achieve normal transport of glucose. One of the hallmarks of insulin resistance is therefore an inappropriately high level of insulin in the blood both before and after meals.
Unfortunately, in many people, the pancreas has a limited capacity to secrete large amts of insulin. It is only a matter of time before the cells burn out and they can't supply enough insulin to meet the demand and the person develops pre-diabetes or the full-blown diabetic state. On the other hand, reducing insulin resistance can delay these states".

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