Can you be IR and still show normal sugar levels?

kls1013 · 04-28-2002, 04:18 PM

I have had my blood sugar tested with fasting blood tests and they have come back in the normal range twice (about a year apart). I read somewhere that some people have had normal sugar readings and yet still have elevated insulin. I asked my Dr if she felt I should have my insulin levels checked and she stated that she felt it was not necessary because my sugar levels were normal. Any advice? I'm meeting with a new Dr May 1. Should I ask for the insulin levels to be checked??

disneygirl · 04-28-2002, 04:27 PM

get your insulin tested.. my doctor said i did not have any signs of hi insulin....well it is double what it should be...DEMAND the test, hey it is your dollar that is paying for it not theres

Kari-Ann · 04-28-2002, 06:07 PM

Hey kls1013

Kari-Ann · 04-28-2002, 06:13 PM

Hey kls1013
I definitely would - and even then, like me ,you might benefit from Glucophage.I had "normal" insulin and glucose levels tested twice, but luckily found a doc who would give the info I'd collected a chance, and within 4 days of taking Gluc 1000mg, had got AF. Have had another period since, and am waiting for the next (fingers crossed!)
I do know that I always knew something was wrong with my sugar/ins levels, because of how I feel after sugar, pastrys,cereals etc. So don't give up, and don't be bullied!!
Good luck with the appt.Let me know what results are.
Love Kari.

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Kari-Ann · 04-28-2002, 06:22 PM

Hey kls1013
I definitely would - and even then, like me ,you might benefit from Glucophage.I had "normal" insulin and glucose levels tested twice, but luckily found a doc who would give the info I'd collected a chance, and within 4 days of taking Gluc 1000mg, had got AF. Have had another period since, and am waiting for the next (fingers crossed!)
I do know that I always knew something was wrong with my sugar/ins levels, because of how I feel after sugar, pastrys,cereals etc. So don't give up, and don't be bullied!!
Good luck with the appt.Let me know what results are.
Love Kari.

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sroger2 · 04-29-2002, 04:54 PM

kls1013,

Absolutely! That's how many IRs get missed, because their numbres are normal when fasting. It's what happens to us once sugar gets into us that's the issue. I was finally diagnosed last year after going to a new doctor, explaining my symptoms, etc. and asking for a 5hr glucose tolerance test WITH insulin levels. I knew there was a sugar problem, but didn't know about the insulin. It was after that test that I was diagnosed as an IR diabetic, and PCOS. Bless that doctor's heart for listening!

My typical fasting BG is 80-100. At one hour into the GTT, it shot up to 250 and then began to plummet, bottoming out at 53. My insulin one hour into the test was 56 (it should never go above 20), and bottomed out at 3.7. Classic numbers for an IR. But if the tests had not been done, it would never would have been found, nor would the PCOS have been diagnosed.

Today I'm on Glucophage XR, and eat differently. The fog is gone, the irritability is WAY down, and my life is a whole lot better. By all means, have the test! If your doctor won't agree after you listing out your symptoms, then find a doctor who will listen. Best wishes!

May · 05-14-2002, 10:10 AM

HEEEEELLLPPP me girls,

May · 05-14-2002, 10:40 AM

HHHEEEEELLLPPPP meee girls,
ur talking about the EXACT thing troubling me....

im hypo+PCO and a carb addict ...
been on clomid once and GonalF injects once >>>with no responce

i dont ov, almost no cycle...

the thing is im convinced i have a sugar prob, nearly fought with my ob/gyn to test my insuline they took a blood test of fasting insuline >>it came normal!! my doc wont put me on metformine w/ clomid next cycle!!

i dont think they tested me right can u explain the IR test exactly?
how can the insuline level be normal? and why doesn`t the doc know this??
even the nurse was confused looking for the name of the test! i kept telling her resitance test but she just gave me fasting insuline level...

please im waiting 4 ur reply 2 take to my doc my appointment is friday...

best wishes all..

ElaineCM · 05-31-2002, 12:31 PM

My glucose lways tests normal, but insulin does not. For those who are getting info/problems from OBs and PCP you really need to go see and RE. I have found that they are the only ones that remotely understand. My ordinial PCP kept trying to say I had full blown diabetes and didn't even know what hyperinsulinemia/PCOs was.

EnviroMegan · 06-21-2002, 04:29 PM

Hi all,

I agree that anyone who hasn't had their insulin checked should do it. I have been tested for high glucose every year because diabetes runs in my family. Every year it has been normal. Finally, I got an insulin tests that showed that I have very high insulin levels = Insulin Resistance. Just because your glucose levels are normal doesn't mean anything in terms of your insulin levels!

Arlyn · 06-26-2002, 08:24 PM

Yep, you can be IR and have normal fasting levels. When I test fasting, I show to be within normal range - 80-90's. But when my doc did a 2-hr GTT with insulin levels, we found that I'm actually borderline diabetic - my numbers were VERY high (300's). My advice would be to ask your doc for a GTT with the insulin levels, and see what shows up in that!

Cindy B · 06-27-2002, 09:42 AM

[SIZE=large]I went to my ob/gyn for my yearly visit at the beginning of the month. I had given her all the info from Dr. Gluecks website on the treatment of PCOS. She still hadn't read it when I went in. While I was there she called a local RE and asked if I would benefit from being on Glucophage. (I am hoping that it will help regulate my AF again even though I am perimenopausal, lose weight and even at my age hope to ovulate so I might have a child) The RE asked her what I weighed and she told her 212. (I have been somewhat following the IR diet and have lost about 20 -25 lbs so far) The RE told her that I didn't weigh enough for it to help with weight loss (go figure I'm still about 90 lbs over my goal weight) But my GYN is willing to work with me. So she asked her about what test she should run, so she ordered a random glucose/insulin and to do the ratio of insulin to the glucose. I am glad to say that her office called me yesterday and told me that the glucose level was normal but the ratio showed that I am IR. So she's going to put me on glucophage.
Hope this info helps.

Good Luck.

Cindy [/size]