Finding out if one is IR

[chikilala]

I just started seeing an RE to determine whether I have PCOS or not. Am currently waiting the results of blood tests. I did see on the main board that some women with PCOS have insulin resistance, and I think I might also.

Did the doctor suggest testing for IR in most cases, or was it something you had to suggest yourself?

Thanks, and thanks to Kat!

[Japan]

You're right, a lot of us are insulin resistent too. Here is a list of IR symptoms I copied from my copy of "The Insulin Resistance Diet" by Cheryle Hart & Mary Kay Grossman. They call these 'health conditions' instead of symptoms, and some of them are not really scientific, but I think it gives you a good idea of what to look for if you suspect you may be IR. Also keep in mind, not everyone has every symptom.

* A family history of diabetes, overweight problems, abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides, heart desease or stroke

* Frequent cravings for sweet or salty, crunchy snack food

*The need to eat often or eat excessive amounts of food

* A difficult time losing weight even if you exercise or cut back on your food intake

* A problem with weight gain even when eating small portions

* Weight gain mostly around your waist

* Skin tags on your neck, chest, breasts, groin area, or underarms

* A history of irregular menstrual cycles, especially skipping months

* A history of PCOS

* High triglyceride levels

* Low HDL (the "good" type of cholesterol) levels, that is, lower than 35 mg/dl

* High LDL (the "bad" type of cholesterol) levels, that is, higher than 130mg/dl

*High or borderline high blood pressure - even during pregnancy

* The feeling that you are addicted to carbohydrates

* The feeling that you have no willpower when it comes to dieting

* Jitteriness, difficulty thinking, headaches, or nausea that goes away when you eat

* Hypoglycemia

* Afternoon fatigue

* Type II diabetes, borderline diabetes, or abnormal glucose tolerance tests - even just during pregnancy

* High uric acid or gout

* History of having blood clots in your legs, lungs, or brain

* A doctor telling you that you need to eat less in order to lose weight, yet those close to you are amazed at how little you actually eat

* The belief that you are at least 30 pounds overweight

* A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher (and my book has a chart to figure out your BMI, but there are also websites to do this online)

* Native-American, Asian, African-American, or Hispanic ancestry

I would not assume any doctor to suggest any testing, so be prepared to ask for it yourself. Do your homework and know what you want to be tested for and how to interpret the results. For a list of tests to diagnose PCOS click on the PCOS FAQ link in my sig line and go to section 2.10.

Good luck with everything, and welcome!

[chikilala]

You're incredible! Thanks for that info. I'll do my research and hopefully (if they ever get back to me about my labs, that is), I'll bring it up.

[Japan]

No problem! Let us know if you need any more help with the test results.

[AusGal]

My doctor currently has suggested that I eat no more than 1000 cals a day and go walking for 20 mins a day to loose the excess weight I have. Currently 4 weeks in and I've managed to put on 3 kilos.
I am going to take all this info to my doctors and see if he re-thinks what I should do. His understanding of PCOS to me when I was being diagnosed was "all you women are the same" complaining about being overweight maybe you should eat less cheese and chocolate. Ignorance is not always bliss.

Thanks for all your info it will come in handy to re-educate my doctor.

Lynda
xxx

[Japan]

Lynda, my old doctor sent me to a nutrional counselor who recommended a 1400 cal/day diet. I just laughed and handed her the sheet right back, asking if she could tell me anything about a low-carb diet. Course she couldn't. So once more I educated myself and found the IR Diet, which is the greatest way of eating on earth to me, and I lost 35lbs on it before I got pregnant last year. Most cysters benefit more from going low-carb instead of low-cal. Do start or keep up exercising, it is very important in speeding up your metabolism and burning more calories.