Insulin Resistance: A Key to Weight Loss
Sunday January 11, 2004
Here's a great reader letter! -- "I've written to you numerous times before, but most recently to request that you write something about insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and diabetes, and the connection between these disorders and hypothyroidism. So I was thrilled to read the "Insulin Resistance" segment of your recent article entitled Losing Weight with Hypothyroidism.
It was very well-written and I'm sure easy to understand by those that are unfamiliar with insulin resistance.
I have struggled with Hypothyroidism for 19 years! Without boring you with details, 2 years ago I adopted a low-carb diet and exercised religiously to lose 40 lbs, only to have 15 of them come back recently with no explaination. The addition of a drug called Glucophage XL (extended release metformin) has helped tremendously by sensitizing my cells to my own insulin, reducing the amount of glucose my intestines absorb, and turning down my liver's glucose production. Lower blood sugar means lower insulin, which means my body stores less fat, and is now burning my fat stores for fuel! The 15 lbs are gone! AND....I have cut my dose of Armour Thyroid in half! Yes, I am still hypothyroid, but it was the insulin resistance that was causing most of my symptoms. The weight problem, huge appetite, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, bleeding gums, numb feet, yeast infections, low basal body temperature, easy bruising and slow wound healing have all been resolved over the past 4 months. AND....my blood pressure has fallen to within ideal normal ranges, as have my cholesterol levels!
I hope you continue to educate Thyroid patients and to encourage them to become active partners in their own medical care. They need to look beyond the thyroid to rule out another common cause of these symptoms. They should demand a 4 or 5-hour oral glucose tolerance test that also measures insulin levels (even if their fasting blood sugar is normal) and settle for nothing less than the 2-hour test. I know if I hadn't made that demand, I'd still be complaining to my doctor about my thyroid and he'd still be telling me I was fine!
Feeling fine in the sunshine.....
Beverly from FL"
I have struggled with Hypothyroidism for 19 years! Without boring you with details, 2 years ago I adopted a low-carb diet and exercised religiously to lose 40 lbs, only to have 15 of them come back recently with no explaination. The addition of a drug called Glucophage XL (extended release metformin) has helped tremendously by sensitizing my cells to my own insulin, reducing the amount of glucose my intestines absorb, and turning down my liver's glucose production. Lower blood sugar means lower insulin, which means my body stores less fat, and is now burning my fat stores for fuel! The 15 lbs are gone! AND....I have cut my dose of Armour Thyroid in half! Yes, I am still hypothyroid, but it was the insulin resistance that was causing most of my symptoms. The weight problem, huge appetite, fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, bleeding gums, numb feet, yeast infections, low basal body temperature, easy bruising and slow wound healing have all been resolved over the past 4 months. AND....my blood pressure has fallen to within ideal normal ranges, as have my cholesterol levels!
I hope you continue to educate Thyroid patients and to encourage them to become active partners in their own medical care. They need to look beyond the thyroid to rule out another common cause of these symptoms. They should demand a 4 or 5-hour oral glucose tolerance test that also measures insulin levels (even if their fasting blood sugar is normal) and settle for nothing less than the 2-hour test. I know if I hadn't made that demand, I'd still be complaining to my doctor about my thyroid and he'd still be telling me I was fine!
Feeling fine in the sunshine.....
Beverly from FL"
| MORE WEIGHT LOSS HELP FOR THYROID PATIENTS |
Comments
Thank you for posting this – it answers so many questions for me since my glucose fasting just came back a little high. I too have struggled with ongoing symptoms – I am so much better – but this explains what remains. I have Hashimotos and am hypothyroid … I have been reading your writings for years.
Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Catherine, the redhead
http://www.aweekinthelifeofaredhead.com
Thank you for your post. I have hypothyroidism and have recently been diagnosed with insulin resistance. Boy- what a shock and what a big change I have had to make with my eating habits. I have been taking Metformin 3 times a day now for almost 3 full weeks. I am really eating healthy- whole grains, fruits, veggies, lots of good protein, fish, chicken ect. but my weight loss has been really slow. My dr. said to give it time and I will loose it pretty quick. Your post was helpful and makes me hopeful. I have started really exercising alot so I am hopeful the weight will fall off!!! Thanks again!!
Be careful with dosages, though. With Glucophage and Metformin, you have to watch your liver function. Mine came back high and now I have fatty liver syndrome. It requires a special diet and exercise and is not dangerous, but can be.. If taking those drugs, be sure to keep your liver functions in close check.. but they DO help! I was 408 on it initially and now am in the 200’s just 18 monhths later, safely.