Active Low-Carber Forums
Atkins diet and low carb discussion provided free for information only, not as medical advice.
Home Plans Tips Recipes Tools Stories Studies Products
Active Low-Carber Forums
A sugar-free zone


Welcome to the Active Low-Carber Forums.
Support for Atkins diet, Protein Power, Neanderthin (Paleo Diet), CAD/CALP, Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution and any other healthy low-carb diet or plan, all are welcome in our lowcarb community. Forget starvation and fad diets -- join the healthy eating crowd! You may register by clicking here, it's free!

Go Back   Active Low-Carber Forums > Main Low-Carb Diets Forums & Support > Low Carb Health & Technical Forums > General Health
User Name
Password
FAQ Members Calendar Mark Forums Read Search Gallery My P.L.A.N. Survey


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   ^
Old Mon, Dec-13-10, 14:20
Syrah's Avatar
Syrah Syrah is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 270
 
Plan: LC
Stats: 260/218/150 Female 67 inches
BF:Definitely!
Progress: 38%
Location: Ontario, Canada
Default Why don't docs test for insulin levels?

With my excellent 20/20 hindsight, I now know that I've had an insulin problem for a long time. And, now in my late 50s, I'm very insulin resistant, and (as far as I can tell) leptin resistant, too. If, twenty years ago, I had known what I know today, I'd have been low carbing instead of drinking the "good carb / low fat" koolaid.

Way back then, in the good old bad days of low blood sugar, mood swings, depression, carb cravings and more, I must have been full, FULL of insulin. And it got worse, feeding on itself, as time went on. If only I had known then what nasty things elevated insulin can do to a body, and have done to mine!

So here's my question of the day: why don't doctors routinely test for insulin levels?

Now open for discussion.
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2   ^
Old Mon, Dec-13-10, 15:06
mike_d's Avatar
mike_d mike_d is offline
Grease is the word!
Posts: 8,475
 
Plan: PSMF/IF
Stats: 236/181/180 Male 72 inches
BF:disappearing!
Progress: 98%
Location: Alamo city, Texas
Default

Short answer: It's not an easy test to do or as cheap as measuring blood sugars.
Reply With Quote
  #3   ^
Old Mon, Dec-13-10, 15:30
little s little s is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 29
 
Plan: finding my own way
Stats: 240/169/125 Female 60"
BF:
Progress: 62%
Default

I posted this in your other thread too. I actually asked my doctor why not and this was essentially what he said, same as this link:

http://www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/d...ance/#diagnosis

"However, the test that most accurately measures insulin resistance, called the euglycemic clamp, is too costly and complicated to be used in most doctors’ offices. The clamp is a research tool used by scientists to learn more about glucose metabolism. If tests indicate pre-diabetes or metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance most likely is present."

Syrah, I can almost certainly echo your above post too, it applies to me the same. I wish I'd known sooner what was going on and essentially I had to figure it out myself.
Reply With Quote
  #4   ^
Old Mon, Dec-13-10, 15:51
Nancy LC's Avatar
Nancy LC Nancy LC is offline
Experimenter
Posts: 25,842
 
Plan: DDF
Stats: 202/185.4/179 Female 67
BF:
Progress: 72%
Location: San Diego, CA
Default

A fasting insulin test isn't a bad one to have done. Having a high fasting insulin is a sign that you're insulin resistant. It's also a cheap test. Costs about $16 if you have it done yourself.
Reply With Quote
  #5   ^
Old Mon, Dec-13-10, 17:05
Syrah's Avatar
Syrah Syrah is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 270
 
Plan: LC
Stats: 260/218/150 Female 67 inches
BF:Definitely!
Progress: 38%
Location: Ontario, Canada
Default

I did ask my doc and she said she would do my fasting insulin, but I didn't see the point, I know what's going on now! Ten years ago, it would have been useful information to have.

She did say, however, that she sometimes orders a fasting insulin for younger persons who need to have a wake up call. (My paraphrase, she was less diplomatic than that.) Well, if testing fasting insulin levels can serve as a wake up call, hello!?! why not do it routinely? Yes, Nancy, maybe until it's full-blown diabetes, metabolic disorders don't get no respek. Or, maybe they'd have to propose the LC solution, which goes against conventional nutrition wisdom?

If only I had known that my weight struggle was likely caused by insulin, rather than being an indication of lack of moral fiber and will power!
Reply With Quote
  #6   ^
Old Mon, Dec-13-10, 19:11
Nancy LC's Avatar
Nancy LC Nancy LC is offline
Experimenter
Posts: 25,842
 
Plan: DDF
Stats: 202/185.4/179 Female 67
BF:
Progress: 72%
Location: San Diego, CA
Default

You can still have a high fasting insulin even if you're low carb. I have that issue. I think I'm borderline diabetic.
Reply With Quote
  #7   ^
Old Wed, Dec-15-10, 16:17
realdeal31's Avatar
realdeal31 realdeal31 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 548
 
Plan: Protein Power
Stats: 231/212/185 Male 5 feet 10 inches
BF:22%
Progress: 41%
Location: Canada
Default

They know nothing about dieting, most of them will send you to a dietitian.

My current sport doctor practice a technic called prolotherapy by Ross Hauser, dextrose injection in the ligaments and tendons, he was the first one to put me on a high protein, moderate fat and low carb diet. Telling me that my body needed that protein to repair itself.
Reply With Quote
  #8   ^
Old Wed, Dec-15-10, 18:58
mike_d's Avatar
mike_d mike_d is offline
Grease is the word!
Posts: 8,475
 
Plan: PSMF/IF
Stats: 236/181/180 Male 72 inches
BF:disappearing!
Progress: 98%
Location: Alamo city, Texas
Default

To muddy the waters, it's often the case low-carbers have an FBS of 100 or greater, especially in the morning. I am one of those but my A1c is normal and spot tests with my glucose meter read 88 - 90 so I am not worried. I think fasting has finally healed my insulin resistance.
Reply With Quote
  #9   ^
Old Sat, Jan-08-11, 09:19
EatRealFoo EatRealFoo is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 147
 
Plan: mine
Stats: -/-/- Male 178
BF:
Progress: 100%
Default

Most people who self-diagnose themselves as having high levels of insulin because of what they're have read in mainstream nutrition books, actually have perfectly normal levels of insulin.
There are a lot of misconceptions about insulin.
Reply With Quote
  #10   ^
Old Wed, Jun-07-17, 14:30
VLC.MD VLC.MD is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 220
 
Plan: Atkins/LCHF
Stats: 209/185/185 Male 69
BF:reducing
Progress: 100%
Location: Toronto, Canada
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_d
I think fasting has finally healed my insulin resistance.

It sure does !!!!
https://www.dietdoctor.com/intermittent-fasting
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:16.


Copyright © 2000-2024 Active Low-Carber Forums @ forum.lowcarber.org
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.