Bad day at the OK corral...

[minkydog]

Insulin resistance. Pre-diabetes. Metformin.

I went to see the weight loss doctor today for a follow-up after drawing labs. The good news is my liver and kidneys are fine. The bad news is that although myfasting blood sugar is a normal 94, my serum insulin is a whopping 64! it should be <5. The doctor had to go back and look at my chart--she was sure that i MUST be taking insulin injections! She said she is amazed that i don't weigh 350-lbs., with the insulin so high.

So the bad news is, in her opinion my pancreas is in overdrive and may well lock down in the very near future. It cannot go on long at this pace. I am dieting and I've lost 34-lbs in the past 6 monts, but I'm still in the 190s so I have a long way to go, at least 50-lbs.

I am so upset! I mean, I'm glad there is medication for this and hopefully, when I lose the weight I can get off the med. But right now I'm taking this as a shot across the bow. Low carbs, high protein. Blech. I don't like a lot of meat, but I guess I'm going to have to eat it. I have to give up all pasta, rice, potatoes, bread and limit beans(which I love and it's what i substitute for meat, often). What's left? Fruit? No, it has a lot of simple carbs. Eggs? full of cholestral. Peanut butter, nuts? full of fat. I feel like I basically can't eat anything--and I have to somehow get in 1400cal/day.

The only bright spot is that after months and months of very high triglycerides(200-500!) they are a nice normal 143.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Insulin resistance. Pre-diabetes. Metformin.

I went to see the weight loss doctor today for a follow-up after drawing labs. The good news is my liver and kidneys are fine. The bad news is that although myfasting blood sugar is a normal 94, my serum insulin is a whopping 64! it should be <5. The doctor had to go back and look at my chart--she was sure that i MUST be taking insulin injections! She said she is amazed that i don't weigh 350-lbs., with the insulin so high.

So the bad news is, in her opinion my pancreas is in overdrive and may well lock down in the very near future. It cannot go on long at this pace. I am dieting and I've lost 34-lbs in the past 6 monts, but I'm still in the 190s so I have a long way to go, at least 50-lbs.

I am so upset! I mean, I'm glad there is medication for this and hopefully, when I lose the weight I can get off the med. But right now I'm taking this as a shot across the bow. Low carbs, high protein. Blech. I don't like a lot of meat, but I guess I'm going to have to eat it. I have to give up all pasta, rice, potatoes, bread and limit beans(which I love and it's what i substitute for meat, often). What's left? Fruit? No, it has a lot of simple carbs. Eggs? full of cholestral. Peanut butter, nuts? full of fat. I feel like I basically can't eat anything--and I have to somehow get in 1400cal/day.

The only bright spot is that after months and months of very high triglycerides(200-500!) they are a nice normal 143.

I feel for you, I really do.

I also love breads, pasta, beans, and potatoes so I understand completely. The doctor wants me to lose another 25pds and it is so hard for me to get motivated to exercise.

I would kill for a nice normal triglycerides level and I'm jealous. My cholesterol level was over 300 and I did manage to get it down to 160 so I do feel good about that.

 

[laurie31]

Well, at least now you know your efforts at losing weight have been even more effective than you knew. You lost 34, which is awesome, and you didn't GAIN, which is really awesome. Seriously, congratulate yourself. Even your doctor said it - you could weigh 350 and you don't! That's due to your efforts!

I feel your pain on the carbs. Can you eat any of the low carb whole grain pastas and breads? Eat grilled or baked chicken or fish, and try egg substitute (I don't like the taste for scrambled eggs, but it makes a fine omelet. Put in some fat-free sharp cheddar and whatever veggies you like, and it's not bad, really).

 

[claudia]

Insulin resistance. Pre-diabetes. Metformin.


I am so upset! I mean, I'm glad there is medication for this and hopefully, when I lose the weight I can get off the med. But right now I'm taking this as a shot across the bow. Low carbs, high protein. Blech. I don't like a lot of meat, but I guess I'm going to have to eat it. I have to give up all pasta, rice, potatoes, bread and limit beans(which I love and it's what i substitute for meat, often). What's left? Fruit? No, it has a lot of simple carbs. Eggs? full of cholestral. Peanut butter, nuts? full of fat. I feel like I basically can't eat anything--and I have to somehow get in 1400cal/day.

The only bright spot is that after months and months of very high triglycerides(200-500!) they are a nice normal 143.

You don't have to eat a lot of meat for your protein. Try chicken, turkey, pork, fish, soy, tofu, egg whites and greek yogurt. You absolutely do not have to give up pasta, rice, potatos, etc....all you have to do is use a whole grain version of what you love and watch your portion size. Use brown rice and yams. Nuts are very healthy for you, choose almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans and macadamias....you can try almond butter on toasted whole wheat bread. Of course, check portion size again. Fruits should stay on your list...you can always add them to full cook oatmeal. My husband has type 2 and unfortunately for him his particular problem is that sugars build up over night in his pancreas....so we really have to watch his evening meal.
My advice, take the metformin to keep your levels reasonable, alter your diet and before you know it the weight that you want to get off will be gone and more than likely when you reach your goal weight you will no longer need the meds. I have a zillion meal plans/combos, so if you want, feel free to PM me...be happy to share.

 

[minkydog]

I feel for you, I really do.

I also love breads, pasta, beans, and potatoes so I understand completely. The doctor wants me to lose another 25pds and it is so hard for me to get motivated to exercise.

I would kill for a nice normal triglycerides level and I'm jealous. My cholesterol level was over 300 and I did manage to get it down to 160 so I do feel good about that.

Thanks. Six months ago my triglycerides were about 480--almost critical level. I've been taking 2000mg of Niaspan for the last 6 months. My HDL is still low and my LDL are still way high, but at least something is going right.

Well, at least now you know your efforts at losing weight have been even more effective than you knew. You lost 34, which is awesome, and you didn't GAIN, which is really awesome. Seriously, congratulate yourself. Even your doctor said it - you could weigh 350 and you don't! That's due to your efforts!

I feel your pain on the carbs. Can you eat any of the low carb whole grain pastas and breads? Eat grilled or baked chicken or fish, and try egg substitute (I don't like the taste for scrambled eggs, but it makes a fine omelet. Put in some fat-free sharp cheddar and whatever veggies you like, and it's not bad, really).

Thank you. I really appreciate the support. And you're right, I have done well on my diet. And I am seeing it in my clothes. I've already gotten rid of all my size 18-22s.

I asked the doc specifically about whole wheat pasta or that Dreamfield pasta and she said flat out NO. With my level being so enormously high she wants me to be very strict for at least the first few weeks until we see a difference in that serum insulin. I'm trying to keep my carbs under 100/day.

 

[laurie31]

Thanks. Six months ago my triglycerides were about 480--almost critical level. I've been taking 2000mg of Niaspan for the last 6 months. My HDL is still low and my LDL are still way high, but at least something is going right.



Thank you. I really appreciate the support. And you're right, I have done well on my diet. And I am seeing it in my clothes. I've already gotten rid of all my size 18-22s.

I asked the doc specifically about whole wheat pasta or that Dreamfield pasta and she said flat out NO. With my level being so enormously high she wants me to be very strict for at least the first few weeks until we see a difference in that serum insulin. I'm trying to keep my carbs under 100/day.

Maybe after the first few weeks are up (and your serum insulin is down) you can try adding the Dreamfield products. Wow, 100gm of carbs/day is a challenge. You can do it, though.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Sorry to hear that you got such bad news.

No advice, just sending good thoughts your way.

 

[bumbershoot]

I asked the doc specifically about whole wheat pasta or that Dreamfield pasta and she said flat out NO. With my level being so enormously high she wants me to be very strict for at least the first few weeks until we see a difference in that serum insulin. I'm trying to keep my carbs under 100/day.

But what does your nutritionist say????


See if cinnamon helps you. It's absolutely brilliant with my husband. Who doesn't seem to have ever had serum insulin checked... He boggles his endocrinologist regularly, but the endo's getting used to it, lets him do his thing. Anyway, we found that cinnamon helps by accident, and have found out that it helps many other people!

 

[minkydog]

But what does your nutritionist say????


See if cinnamon helps you. It's absolutely brilliant with my husband. Who doesn't seem to have ever had serum insulin checked... He boggles his endocrinologist regularly, but the endo's getting used to it, lets him do his thing. Anyway, we found that cinnamon helps by accident, and have found out that it helps many other people!

I have heard the same thing. In fact, my mother takes it and it has really stabilized her blood sugars(she's type 2.) I went right out and bought some cinnamon capsules today.

I found out that I am also very Vit D deficient, which can bring on diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer(including breast cancer!) So she's got me on that, too.

I don't have a nutritionist. So far I've done pretty good without one. My doctor specializes in non-surgical bariatrics and I have to say, she got right down to business. The sad thing is, she learned in 2 weeks what my family doctor has NEVER looked for. I like my family doctor, but I now realise she is out of her league with major weight loss. I had them fax her the results of my labs. i think she will be shocked.

I'm keeping a food diary on livestrong.com. I love it! It tracks my intake, mood, and physical activity and breaks down the food intake into cals, sod, fiber, carbs, fats, and proteins(and other stuff, I can't remember.) It's really been easy to manage and I don't have to guess around.