Leigh30

1. What is the test called to determine if you are IR?

2. How is the test performed? (ie: blood test, etc)

3. I am already on glucophage xr (2000mg) but my RE never did this test. But I would like it done to know for sure if I am IR or not. So would I have to stop taking the gluc to get an accurate result?

4. If so, How many days would I have to stop the meds before the test is done? (I'm assuming it has to be out of my system to get an accurate result but not sure how long it takes for that to happen)

5. Can this test be done if your pg?

6. Is IR and hypoglycemia (I think thats what it's called) the same thing??

Thank you very much for responding
Leigh
8dpoiui

cystermoon

Hi Leigh!

The typical test for determining if you are Insulin Resistant is the GTT (glucose tolerance test). They draw blood from you, then you drink a special "sugary" drink ( I thought it tasted like orange crush with a lot of sugar added) then they have you wait sometimes an hour or two then they draw your blood again. Some drs will ask for one more blood draw, some won't. i believe I did a total of three. One before I drank the stuff, one one hour later and one one more hour after that. I believe I had to fast too.

You shouldn't have to stop taking your glucaphage in order to do the test. I didn't.

There is nothing wrong with doing the test if you are pregnant. They are just drawing blood.

Insulin resistance has to do with your system becoming less responsive to the actions of insulin. Hypoglycemia refers to a drop in the amount of sugar in the blood. (Low blood sugar.) So no, they are not the same.

Insulin resistance is however related to diabetes type II. It is the precursor to diabetes. If your IR continues to get bad, and/or you do not treat it, it can lead to diabetes. That is what happened to me.

If your doctor did blood tests on you prior to prescribing the glucaphage then he may already know if you are IR or not and he just didn't bother to tell you the results. Otherwise, he must think the glucaphage is going to help with your other pcos symptoms. I don't know of any dr who would prescribe gluc without a reason. Most people have a hard time convincing their doctors to give it to them if they are not IR.

I hope this has answered your questions!

Leigh30

Thanks a lot!.. Since I'm already on glucophage I wonder if I should even bother with the GTT.

My RE put me on the gluc because of my PCOS. He never did the GTT. Guess I'll mention it to him the next time I go in and see what he says.

Thanks again
Leigh

cystermoon

I'd say if you never had one done and you are really curious about it then go ahead and get one done. It can't hurt and make them give you the actual numbers too.