Hypoglycemia, but not IR-Still have PCOS...anyone else?

tracee · 07-16-2003, 03:56 PM

I'm trying to figure out the best diet and treatment for myself, but I'm having a hard time. I had all the bloodwork done, and it showed that I actually had low blood sugar and didn't have any insulin resistance. Everything else was normal, other than the LH:FSH ratio. I also had an ultrasound that showed multiple cysts on my ovaries. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and what diet they are using. If I don't eat every couple of hours, I get shaky, weak and will get a headache. I'm not extremely overweight....but I could stand to lose about 10lbs. Any advice?

Thanks,
Tracy

Kittycat · 07-16-2003, 04:36 PM

I could have written your post myself. Ive found that it helps me to limit my sugar intake. Sugar exacerbates the hypoglycemia. What happens with us is we actually ARE insulin resistant. A fasting insulin level will not reveal this. My fasting insulin levels are very low. The last time I had a fasting insulin test it was 4. Very low! The only way to "catch" what is happening is during a GTT in which they test insulin levels alongside sugar levels throughout to see what's happening when you have sugar. Doctors aren't willing to perform this test for us and the only reason why I had it done was because I participated in a clinical study where they did it. The thing that's causing the hypoglycemia is this: When we take in sugar, insulin is released to escort the sugar to the cells but apparently the cells aren't responding because the sugar and insulin are not immediately taken up. The pancreas gets the message that the sugar isn't getting processed and it pumps out more insulin. By the time the extra insulin comes around, there's TOO much insulin and too much sugar gets taken up into the cells, causing yor blood sugar to drop sharply. the best way to avoid this happening is to stay away from sugar because sugar is the cuplrit. Metformin has almost completely stopped the hypoglycemia and I feel alot better after eating in general. (I used to get tired after eating sometimes).

It's been theorized that we have a shortage of "receptors" at the cellular level to bind with the insulin. The catalyst for these receptors is called D Chiro Inositol and is a naturally occurring substance in the body of people and animals. In studies conducted on diabetics and normal controls it's been found that diabetics (and women with PCOS) have less than normal amounts of DCI in their system. When this is supplemented the problem is corrected.

As far as PCOS goes, I sound alot like you. I'm convinced that D Chiro Inositol is the answer for us as it's the only thing that has made a real difference in my cycles.

Good luck!

Rachell4ever · 07-17-2003, 03:59 PM

I suspect that I have hypoglycemic tendencies. My fasting glucose is 77, insulin 2.5. That's a little low - but I would bet that directly after I eat my insulin goes whacko. I often get heart palpitations if I eat too much or the wrong kind of foods.

I'll also get dizzy when I stand up (this has lessened a lot since I started taking chromium a few weeks ago), and every once in a while I'll just faint.

I've got high normal testosterone levels, and the 3:1 LH/FSH ratio, very pco's, according to my endo. a little acne, AF every 2-3 months, lots of hair, and MPB (yuck). Never had a bad problem with weight, though my metabolism was never as fast as most of my friends'.

Kittycat, I noticed you posted something about d-chiro-inositol (which helps some people with IR) a whiles back. I'm wondering if you ever heard anything further about this. I'd be super-interested to know. Thanks much. (until then I'll be munching on those god-awful soy lecithin granules

Best,
Rachelle

Kittycat · 07-17-2003, 07:29 PM

There have been some new devlopments in obtaining pyre DCI from a pharmaceutical cimpany in NewZealand that's making it. This info was ppsted in the Alternative Remedies section. Ive been in contact with the supplier who is in Holland and he's currently finding pricing for us. I'm still waiting to hear back. When I hear again from him I'll let you know.

tracee · 07-17-2003, 07:35 PM

Thanks for the post Kittykat. You know, when I took the glucose test I was thinking, "why don't they test me during these 2 hours?" "why are the waiting until the end?" That is very interesting. I will continue to eat low carb and exercise. Thanks again.

HTW · 07-17-2003, 07:48 PM

Tracy:
I saw your post on hypoglycemia and I thought I may have a diet that would help. But you gotta promise me that you will ignore the name!!!! It is called the 5 day miracle diet. It is a book written by Adle Phun. The basic gyst of is it that you get your blood sugar on an even keel by eating certain foods at certain times and with certain other foods. It is basically low carbs, high protein. She talks at the first of the book about good blood sugar and bad blood sugar. The reason it is called the 5 day miracle diet is because she says that if you eat the way it says to, it takes only 5 days for you blood sugar to get to a leveld out place on a regular basis. I ate that way once a couple of summers ago for 4 days and I felt so good!!! That is the program I am trying to get to right now. Having a problem getting off the Tortillia chips!!!
I hope you will look for it at your library because I think that you will see a lot of stuff in it that makes sense!!! I hope this helps
God bless you and yours
Hears The Water

AmericanWoman · 07-17-2003, 08:07 PM

Kittykat, pls post here about that supplement. I am very interested.

I test NORMAL after fasting (sort of on the low range of sugars) but I get crazy if I eat too much sugar.

Alliance · 07-17-2003, 11:22 PM

Kittycat,
I couldn't have said that any better than you..

My tests have come back low and confused the Doctors. You make more sense then my Doctor does...thanks...

pleasantlyblew · 07-17-2003, 11:50 PM

I also suffer with hypoglycaemia - pretty badly at times. I am currently low-carbing and although it has lessened the attacks considerably, I now find that when I do get an attack it seems more severe. I don't suppose it really is more severe - just that I guess I was used to it happening several times a day before, whereas now I can sometimes go a couple of days or more with nothing. I usually feel it coming on and as long as I can get some protein in me immediately I can usually stop it in its tracks but this still happens just about every day. I do notice though, that if I have an attack early in the day I usually end up having several throughout the rest of the day, even though I don't touch sugar at all.

Since I started low-carbing I have hardly eaten any bread, potatoes, pasta, etc and I don't eat any junk foods or candy either. I strictly stick to between 20 and 50g carbs per day and those carbs are from low GI salad, vegetables, fruits, etc. Sometimes I get so sleepy after eating that it is impossible to fight. This can happen after having just one mouthful of diet coke (the aspartame and caffeine trigger an insulin spike in me sometimes!) so I stick to plain water and peppermint tea. I get so fed up with it. I tried the Met for about 4 days but felt more tired than I have ever felt. I plan to try and take it again at some point but I have to find a time when I can afford to take to my bed if necessary and being self-employed means that isn't easy.

Does anyone know how/why the insulin spikes make you drowsy? I thought low-carbing would make it go away more than this.

Nikki x

Candace · 07-18-2003, 10:33 AM

I have the exact same problem, I fall asleep after eating high carb meals, although I have been on Glucophage XR for 3 years now so it is much more controlled. Without the Glucophage If I would eat half a slice of bread I would have to lay down. Now, i can control my carbs without the excessive sleepiness. I have mentioned this problem to my endo and he is baffled. Like I said though since Glucophage XR I am 100 X better. I will be on this drug the rest of my life! I think the insulin goes so high after meals that it causes the body to go into some sort of energy crunch. That is my theory. My heart slows down and I feel it beating really hard I konk out in the chair for about ten minutes and I feel much better most of the time. My kids say I really snore during this time and breathe very heavy. Interesting huh?
Blessings!

Candace

tracee · 07-18-2003, 02:27 PM

HTW, I will definetely look for that book. Thanks!