Not IR and low carbing?

Chrissy · 06-11-2003, 09:51 AM

Hey ladies. Is anyone seeing benefits from the IR diet or low to moderate carbing who is not IR? My insulin and sugar are in normal to low ranges. I have been dealing with PCOS since 18 by taking BC Pills and clomid for pregnancy. I am now 37. If PCOS is truly from IR, why am I not seeing any problems with this and my tests come out normal? My hormone blood tests do show PCOS. My doctor says I'm the classic type of PCOS, not necessarily IR. Many posts here say their doctors tell them they are IR even if it doesn't show sooooo, what about the IR diet anyway? I would love to help the acne, bloated belly, and extra hair issues but not necessarily lose weight. HELP!!! This is so confusing, at times I wish I were IR so I could try something else than bc PIlls!

waiting for first · 06-11-2003, 04:53 PM

My insulin levels were low/normal also on the GTT but my RE was still willing to RX met and I do low carb. Not super low...probably 100-115 g per day of carbs. I just saw a medical nutritionist who specializes in women's health (works in the same building as my RE) and she was thrilled w/ what I'm doing. I asked if I could incorporate some occasional brown rice and she said 1/3 cup a few times a week w/ dinner was okay.

Definitely cut out refined flours and sugars...no white stuff if you can avoid it. I think for cysters like us, small amounts of whole grains are acceptable-like a tiny bit of whole wheat pasta or brown rice once in a while. I eat more fruits and veggies than a lot of low carbers but I skip the very high carb ones.

It can help, although I haven't seen much change. However, I don't really have any external symptoms other than a teensy bit of facial hair but I'm also dark complected---olive skin with dark hair and eyes, so I think that may be part of any hair I do have. Other than that, I do have classic symptoms internally-the hormone levels, string of pearls, irregular to no AFs, anovulatory without injectables. I've only been on met since mid march which isn't that long in the scheme of things. Still never responded to clomid...I'm on my 2nd injectables cycle in the 2ww right now. I think it is worth it to watch your carb intake though. Maybe not super low carbing but cut out the refined stuff at the very least. It does work for some cysters.

Good luck!!!

Beth

Leanna · 06-29-2003, 03:04 PM

Hi there! I am 28 and was diagnosed 8 years ago while ttc my son. My symptoms have gone off the deep end this last year. Loads of facial hair and I gained 15 pounds without eating anything. Anyways, I just started the Atkins diet about 6 weeks ago. I lost 10 pounds and my facial hair has almost gone away. I don't even have to pluck my eybrows more that once every 2 weeks now! I have a fine white fuzz on my upper lip that I'm hoping will also go away. At least it is better than the heavy black stuff! I went in for blood tests 2 months ago and I was not considered IR. My glucose levels were high and I had high levels of testosterone though.

After the first 2 weeks of Atkins I went on to WOL eating and stopped losing the weight but am still low carb (about 50-60g a day), but I still feel 100% better and the hair hasn't come back yet. I haven't been doing it long enough to know if it really is the diet or just my confused body making me crazy

Anyways, I hope this helps.