Insulin resistant vs Non Just diagnosed - HELP!!!

nebulus43 · 07-03-2008, 02:11 PM

Well this is it, I have now been diagnosed with PCOS indefinitaly. I thought I would feel relieved to knwo what was causing all of my frustrations this year with being unable to concieve. However, in reality when they told me that I was positive for PCOS then I felt really depressed.

They said that the good news was that I was NOT Insuliln resistant chich seams odd to me being that every single article that I read says that PCOS directly is effected by insulin and many women have had success on metformine and glucophage (sp).

I guess a part of me was hoping that I WAS resistant because I wanted to think that the Met. would help me since I have about 50lbs to lose (only ten if I aim for the 5%) and My DH and I were really hoping for a baby!

What is the difference between Ins. Resistant and Non Ins R??? How do I handle this and what should I do to improve my chances of conception? I am working on weight loss and exersize and I am just hoping that I will concieve by September (That is my 1 year deadline) At that point it's clomid and discussing other options.

I hope someone out there has an answer for me. I have googled Non-resistance and have not had much luck!

Thank you
Jen

NicT101208 · 07-03-2008, 07:09 PM

Basically, if they think you are not insulin resistant, that means you have normal, functioning insulin that responds to glucose as it should. Were you tested for insulin resistance and thats how they know you are not IR?

I have a positive PCOS diagnosis, but my one insulin resistance test was negative. There are many different ways and time to test both glucose and insulin (I did a 12 hour fasting test) levels, so depending on what test you do, you can get different results. Also, it is possible to show normal insulin metabolism on tests, but really have insulin resistant. Because of my symptoms, my doctor and nutritionist are pretty sure I actually am insulin resistant, so I am self treating with diet (no flour, no sugar, no dairy) and exercise as such.

Because they are sure of my false negative diagnosis, I have the option to go on Met in September for my follow up. But in either case, with a PCOS diagnosis, you should get tested for insulin resistance every six months to a year, depending on your symptoms. If you've only had fasting tests, perhaps you can ask for a functioning test like glucose tolerance. In this kind of test, I think they give you glucose and measure how your body responds to the spike in blood sugar, rather than just looking at what your levels are after you haven't eaten.

Hope this helps a little.....

nebulus43 · 07-03-2008, 09:28 PM

Well I have to say that is helpful. It seems somewhat like most peope have no idea what they are dealing with here. My cousin was diagnosed with PCOS 7years ago and still has yet to find a doctor who has a clue what to do next. It is funny that your goals are waiting on September because I am as well.

I figure that if I continue to have troubel with weight loss then maybe I will push for the metfomin then. I just don't see how it is at all humanly possible for you to be NON-IR when the whole thing (PCOS) has to do with Insulin?! That doesnt make a shred of sense, Right?

In any case, I hope to over come all of this. I have started seriously reconsicering my diet and how much exercise I am getting. I am thinking (or should I say reading) that high fiber high protein, and low carb and Cutting sugars is the way to go.

Thanks again!

NicT101208 · 07-04-2008, 12:16 PM

Not a problem!

I feel really lost sometimes too. Since my tests said I am not IR, but they think I am, that was kind of weird. PLUS my whole diagnosis is based on medical history, blood tests that said my LH:FSH was 3:1, and I have the prolactin levels of a pregnant woman. I was never tested for testosterone, nor did they do an ultrasound (which is fine really, because you can easily have PCOS without cysts, or vice versa).

But I'm basically looking at this as, most of my symptoms only started about 18 months ago, so perhaps this is just the beginning. Of course someone who is struggling with these symptoms for years should have worse looking profiles than mine. All I know is, I'm trying to get healthy, and I'll do anything to have a child someday, so I am just trying to nip this in the bud ASAP!

tina_d · 07-04-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nebulus43

I just don't see how it is at all humanly possible for you to be NON-IR when the whole thing (PCOS) has to do with Insulin?! That doesnt make a shred of sense, Right?

The whole thing doesn't have to do with insulin. It has to do with the hormones which may or may not be effected by insulin levels. There are other causes for the hyperandrogenemia. Met can be prescribed for the hyperandrogenemia without IR as well. It's been proven not to lower blood sugars in non IR or diabetics, and still work on the androgen levels.

The exact cause of PCOS has not yet been determined.

There's another convo on PCOS and IR if you haven't read the post yet.

pcos IR vs. not