Help with GTT/insulin levels results???Please!!!

waiting for first · 02-23-2003, 07:33 PM

Hi ladies,
I recently got a copy of my GTT w/ insulin levels test results from my doc's office. The nurse looked at them and said they showed some results slightly out of range so she wanted the doc to look at them. To make a long story short, he hasn't been in much this week so I've been waiting and waiting to find out what (if anything) they are going to do for me.

If anyone has experience interpreting the results I would love some help. My levels for 2 of the 4 draws were below the reference range.

The first time they drew was the fasting insulin level which was 8.2 (ref. range is less than 17)

The second draw was 30 mins after I drank the glucose; it is labeled "insluin response to glucose 1/2 hour" and it is 52.4 (ref. range is 60-92 uiu/ml)

The third draw it says "insulin response to glucose one hour" and it is 53.6 (reference range was 70-102 UIU/ml)

The fourth draw it says insulin response to glucose two hours" and it is 42.4 (reference range is 34-58 UIU/ml).

On the next page it says GTT, 4 specimens and it says:
Time 1-fasting-94 mg/DL (in normal range)
Time 2-1/2 hour-168 mg/DL (in normal range)
Time 3-1 hour-122 mg/DL (in normal range)
Time 4-2hours-99 mg/DL (in normal range)

So are the first numbers my insulin levels and the second set of numbers my glucose levels? DOes this mean I have LOW insulin?? I'm totally confused now. Any help would be much appreciated!!!!

The nurse said she's not sure if the doc will want to "put me on anything" since my levels weren't "that far off". So I'm trying to figure out if they'll give me gluc/met (which I want!!!)-but if my levels are showing low insulin levels then I guess that is definitely out...
I'm so confused!!

Beth

tan · 03-15-2003, 09:34 PM

I dont have any answers, does someone else?

tan

MyJourney · 03-16-2003, 03:37 AM

Hi Beth,

I don't really have an answer either. When I got the results of my GTT, they were only slightly off, and the doc poo pooed them.
Later on, I showed them to a dietician, and she said that there is no such thing as sugar/insulin being slightly off. If it's not working correctly, then something is wrong.
As a third course of action, I had the tests shown to an endo, that said that it is hypglycemia. She saw my diet plan, and said I should stick with it if it makes me feel good.

HTH,
Oshrat

Genkins · 03-17-2003, 01:55 AM

Beth

My insulin and glucos also came back low. I was so shocked!! My fasting insulin was 4.0 and my fasting glucose was 72. My RE is not concerned and says that low insulin isn't really a problem. Please let me know if your doc tells you otherwise.

waiting for first · 03-17-2003, 12:04 PM

Thanks ladies. My fasting insulin was like an 8.2 which isn't that low I suppose, especially since I had been low carbing up to 2 days before the test (I had heard that was adequate time to stop without skewing the test, and I didn't know I was getting the test because I had had one done a few weeks before-they forgot to do the insulin levels and only took the glucose levels so I had to have this one as a suprise repeat test-fun!)
At a 1/2 hour and at an hour the insulin levels were lower than the normal range, but again my RE was not concerned. However, he won't RX gluc unless you truly test + for IR, so I was bummed. Good news is that I got a 2nd opinion with a different RE and he thought it would be worth a shot, so I'm going to be taking it. I actually started a few days ago and was quickly able to go up to 1000 mg without any side effects. I only took it for about 4-5 days though and then they decided to schedule an hsg which requires no gluc for 5 days prior, so now I'm back off until after the hsg (which is scheduled for wednesday the 19th).

Thanks for all of your help. I'm hoping it at least helps a little bit.

Beth