Sun, Jan-12-03, 09:06
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Lowcarb since 7/2002
Posts: 5,991
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Plan: Atkins
Stats: 360/232/180
BF:BMI 53.2/34.3/?
Progress: 71%
Location: U.S.: Mid-Atlantic
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Hi Celina,
I'm very sorry to hear about your sister. If someone went into a doctor and said, "I've lost 100 pounds and I don't know why," you bet they would treat that person seriously. So why, if we walk in and say, "I've gained 200 pounds and I don't know why," do they just decide it is our fault and our lack of willpower? I think that many members of the medical profession share the same prejudices as the general population against obese patients -- they are repelled by them and just want to get them out of their office.
I have also had thyroid tests several times over the past ten years and they've all come back saying there was no problem, although I continued to gain weight. No doctor, and I have seen several different ones over the past ten years, ever offered to do any other tests. I tried to lose weight many times before (Weight Watchers and other lowfat diets) and was never successful, but no doctor was able to explain why, although I almost cried in some of their offices. However, I have been steadily losing weight on Atkins for the past six months. Given my success with Atkins, and failure with lowfat - high carbohydrate diets, it seems obvious to me that I must have an insulin problem. I think I probably have had a minor insulin problem all my life, but it got aggravated somehow by two pregnancies -- I struggled to control my weight my entire life, but really blew up during and after each pregnancy. What I can't figure out, is why no doctor ever suggested I might have an insulin problem or offered to test me for it. Yes, they tested me for diabetes during both pregnancies, but my understanding is that it is possible to have hyperinsulinemia and not have diabetes.
I would suggest that you stick to Atkins for a month or so and see if you are losing. Judging from your stats, it looks like you are already losing weigrht. If you continue to lose weight steadily, I'd guess that the doctors are right and you don't have a thyroid problem -- you have an insulin problem. If you don't lose weight at a reasonable pace, you may need to keep doctor shopping until someone agrees to treat you seriously. I'm still looking for a doctor who will treat me seriously, but at least I have figured out how to treat my own medical condition.
Good luck to you! I look forward to seeing more (or should I say less?) of you around this forum?
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