My endo told me today that I have this insulin resistance syndrome because he did a three hour glucose test and said the insulin number was 75 after one hour of drinking the glucose drink and it should be around 50. I looked it up on the computer and it says that usually this happens after 40, I'm only 23, usually you have high blood pressure which I don't and that I need to go on a low sugar diet and if that don't work then he will put me on metformin, a diabetic pill. I have never heard of this syndrome and was wondering if anyone else has it, I just lost my father and grandmother nine months ago and have been under alot of stress, do you think this is lyme or this? I have gained 30 pounds and this is why all this testing, first they thought it was a thyroid issue, then a prolactin issue, now this. What the heck,do any of them know what they are talking about???? Diana
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Yes, you can become insulin resistant with Lyme. This is also referred to as Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X. It is a precursor to Diabetes.
You should try a low carb/no sugar diet. That should prevent excessive weight gain and stabilize your blood sugar.
I'm not sure the blood glucose test is useful for us. Many of us have a combination of hypoglycemia and insulin resistance, which should not even exist together.
It sounds like your endocrine system has been derailed by Lyme and company. Do you have a good LLMD?
Posted by tonysgirl (Member # 11202) on :
I have had insulin resistance prior to my Lyme diagnosis. I don't necessarily think that it is related, at least not in my case. My blood pressure has always been relatively low, but is starting to climb within the last year or so. I need to step it up and lose some weight which I am sure will help. The doctor gave me a script for Metformin to help with the weight loss.
Also, insulin resistance is also associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Since you are only 23, if you are having any issues with your menstrual cycle, it could be related. There is a good website called soulcysters.com which discusses allot of the issue associated with IR.
Posted by dian (Member # 14335) on :
Is this condition because I have lyme, I am being treated with a good llmd but have gained so much weight in the past six months. My llmd did not find this condition, it was an endo that found it. Why do you go on metformin, I thought this was for diabetics only. My sugars are fine, my a1c was 5.2 which is not diabetic. I am confused, does this mean I will become diabetic?
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
Do you have problems with your cycle? You can be insulin resistant and have hormone problems with Poly cystic ovary syndrome.
soulcysters.com check it out.
I had insulin resistance from it and went on metformin. I later developed type 2 diabetes. But I dont watch my weight so I am sur ethat contributed.
Posted by nefferdun (Member # 20157) on :
I am sorry you lost your father and grandmother and now have lyme! That is a lot of stress.
This is all I know about insulin resistance. . .Insulin is released by the beta cells in the pancreas to stimulate the cells of the body to take in glucose from the blood. When you eat too many high glycemic carbs, particularly a lot of sugar, your body loses it's ability to respond to the insulin. It is like switching a light off and on, off and on, until it just burns out. This can lead to type two diabetes. You need to take a drug to stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin. The drugs can cause the beta cells to burn out. Without diet control the condition will worsen and you can become insulin dependent, meaning you need to give yourself shots.
As you also have lyme it is really important that you control your diet. You should study low glycemic foods and change your diet. My son is also 23 and he was recently diagnosed with diabetes, probably type one, as he does not fit the type two profile.
With diabetes, you can have no sugar or refined processed foods, especially white bread and potatoes. You do need carbs but they should be complex carbs like brown rice, quinua, barely etc. Vegetables are great as are many fruits -
Eat meat in moderation (preferably chicken or fish). If you become diabetic you are great risk for kidney disease and/or heart disease. Diabetics should not eat red meat. Learn about vegetable based protein like beans, nuts and seeds.
With diet control your condition can be reversed. If you feel deprived and want something yummy, try berries. Be creative and make smoothies with plain yogurt and stevia or sourbet with crushed ice. After awhile you will love the food and it will love you back. It will also help you fighting lyme.