I went to the doctor on Monday and had my insulin levels checked, cholesterol, diabetes, they all came back NORMAL! I am very surprised, because I have PCOS I thought I was insulin resistant. TSPII also made me think I am insulin resitant. I am taking a very, very low dosage of metformin for almost a year and I am wondering if that has made a difference.

Now I need to reread the book and place myself at insulin sensitive with healthy adrenal glands. I'm afraid I'm going to gain 50 pounds if I eat that many carbs though.

I'd appreciate any feedback.

Pianobeiner

Pianobeiner, how long have you been low-carbing? It has a dramatic affect on all those numbers, even after a relatively short time. Also, did you take any tests before you started low-carbing to use as a comparison?

For me, I've been low-carbing for 1 1/2 years. I started out with my only indicator being my fasting blood sugar of 138 taken before I started. My first cholesterol test was taken after I had been low-carbing for 3 months and was excellent, and my fasting bloodsugar had only dropped to 135.

After about 9 months, my "average" bloodsugar was 109. At least that's what my doctor said (I'm guessing at some "real-world" conversion of the Ha1c test), I didn't get a chance to see the results myself. She did say that there was no longer any hint of diabetes in my numbers.

As far as PCOS, when I started low-carbing, I was on the pill since just after my first set of tests, but my period had been so irregular throughout my life that I had never had even two that could be called "regular." I have gone as long as 3 years between periods, but the last year before I started low-carbing, I essentially had a year-long period (i.e. constant bleeding) and thought I was going to have to have a hysterectomy.

About 11 months ago, I quit taking the pill and have now had 10 regular periods -- my cycle is running 31 to 35 days -- and I feel better off the pill than on. So you could say that my PCOS cleared up after about 6 months, but it's hard to say. And of course, I don't need a hysterectomy.

As far as insulin resitant, I don't think that's really cured for me yet. I'm still very sensitive to carbs, feel them, put on weight when I eat too many. I think that may be a better indicator of your insulin resistance. I think your numbers will look normal simply because you are not eating carbs to bring them up. It seems to me the real test of insulin resistance would be to measure your insulin response to carbs.

HTH,
;-Deb

Good point, I have been low carbing for a long time. The original doctor who dx me did not take blood tests on my insulin just cholesterol, my cholesterol was borderline a year ago. Now it's fine.

Maybe I'm healing!

Pianobeiner

I believe you are! Isn't low-carbing grand!

;-Deb

Pianobeiner:

That's fabulous news!!!!


Yes, I can see you'd be a bit worried. Just in case, I'll state the obvious.... maybe try going through the healing program part of the IR/HA program so you can gradually increase your carbs up to the IS/HA level. I can't remember off the top of my head, but that program starts at 20 grams X 5 meals and then moves up to 30 grams X 5 meals, something like that right?... so move through the healing part of your program until you can jump to the IS/HA program. You can gauge as you go along the program how you'll respond best.

Wow, Piano, ya done good!

Having said that...

I'm no expert, but Deb makes a really good point. I guess the best indicator would be to high carb several days before the test if you really wanted to know for sure.

Wanda

Thanks Wanda, I'm am so incredibly shocked and happy the more I think about it. It took less than a year to heal my metabolism and my insulin resistance. No wonder I have been feeling so good over the past few months, *duh.*


Okay, I am still proceeding with caution and rereading the book while placing myself in a new category. I guess when I answered a lot of her questions in the book I put myself in the Insulin Resistant category because most of my adult life that's where I have fit.

Pianobeiner

Pianobeiner - AWESOME NEWS!!!! I am so glad to hear you are feeling better! I love this plan. I feel better every day! Congrats on the healing, keep it up!!

-Denisebeiner