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swirlygirl
Wed, Apr-16-08, 07:12
I just got my lab tests back from my doctor. The blood work was taken about 2 weeks into low carbing. Although my A1c was high (9.1), my insulin levels were on the low end of the range, 2.9 where the normal range for the lab is listed as 0 - 29.1. The tests were all taken fasting, and at the time, my blood sugar was 89.

Does low carbing reduce your insulin that quickly? Or could it be that my insulin was never high and I have a problem with producing enough insulin?

My doctor was surprised that my insulin was so low, and is not sure what it could mean. She is sending me to an endo to look into it.
Squid
Wed, Apr-16-08, 08:27
With an A1C of 9.1 you could aleady have lost some of the ability for your pancreas to generate insulin which might explain why it's low. I believe Bernstein talks about this in his book. Low carb definitely can drop insulin, but I don't think you'd expect that until your blood sugars are lower. I agree that an endo is a good place to be if your A1C is still high - you might need some medicine until you can get the A1C down. However, two weeks is not much time at all. I bet you see those numbers drop over time. It just may take a while. And it should also be a good sign to you how poisonous fast-acting carbs are to you.
cappie
Sun, Apr-20-08, 16:31
You may not be a T2 at all but a LADA T1. This is a late onset autoimune diabetic. They usually have some beta cells left in the beginning & this gives them a "honeymoon" period where many doctors don't realize they are not a T2 because they are not youngsters. There is a specific test called the GAD test the endo can do (make sure to mention it & ask him to do it!) which can tell if you are a T2 or a T1. You can search the net for more info

cappie
Chefjen
Sun, Apr-20-08, 16:41
Hi.. Just wondering if you did a GTT GLUCOSE fasting test

this test not many docs do but ASK for it

Basically you fast the night before..

then go in take blood (this test takes 2 hours)

They give you a glucose drink

Test at one hour and again at 2 hours

That way it can show how your body is handling the glucose

IMO its the only accurate way to show Insulin resistance or any other form of diabeties..

anyones BS can be high..