Insulin resistance

[patNshal]

Has anyone in this group had/ have insulin resistance? If so ,how did you reverse it? I’m having major hunger issues and needle and pin sensation in my hands. My primary physician had me on Trulicity that which started out really good but eventually stop working… I talked to my doctor about ozempic and he agreed that it would be a great way of getting my weight down but unfortunately he has stop working with me at this point simply because he didn’t want to give free samples and put so much emphasis on how expensive it is… apparently he didn’t think I could afford to buy it…which is nothing more then an insult to me. I have tried and still trying to lose weight but it is impossible to lose with such a big appetite. I really don’t know much else to do. I’m terrified of just the thought of possibly getting Diabetes in the long run, plus I’m dealing with thyroid issues which gets pretty bad at times . Any advice is welcome

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts you had thyroidectomy

Being under medicated for thyroid or poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3 can result in high HBA1C

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if under medicated

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

On T3 or NDT - day before test split daily dose into 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last dose 8-12 hours before test

You have/autoimmune thyroid disease

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue too.

Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I had diagnosis of type 2 within a year of being diagnosed hyper.

At this time of diagnosis my thyroid level were very low as doctors had tried to rise my TSH by making FT4 & FT3 too low. Now I suspect the glucose levels had been much higher for quite a while & were coming down. My hyper wasn’t a severe level but it was prolonged and my appetite uncontrollable - energy level low so I gained a lot of weight which no doubt worsened the glucose level.

Generally high thyroid levels cause high glucose and low thyroid level causes low glucose, but the research is based on euthyroid / non diabetic - ie those without thyroid issues or at risk or developing diabetes. Once thyroid or insulin resistance develops FT3 can affects the blood glucose in opposite ways.

The best measure of blood glucose is HBA1c which measure the glucose attached to red blood cells so gives a average over the passed few months. There is a normal level, insulin resistance (we refer to as pre diabetes) and diabetic level.

I had reached diabetic levels but doctor said it wasn’t a severely high level so “reduce carbs” and that should be enough to bring it down.

I did a moderate low carb diet 80g daily carbs & 1200 calories. Using an app to calculate. I also increased activity levels. Medics attempted to recheck levels 3 months later and wasn’t able to draw blood but 6 months later the levels were back in normal range and I didn’t have to start any medication.

Thyroid levels can affect glucose is your thyroid levels under control?

Your previous post explains you had a thyroidectomy as Hashimoto’s caused phases of transient hyper. Did you ever have Graves antibodies tested? as you developed some eye issues - was that treated?

What are your recent results?

It sounds difficult that your doctor is not offering medication over cost issues. Are you able to get the correct testing done and taking thyroxine consistently? Doctors don’t always complete a full thyroid function and this can result in under medication.

How much replacement do you currently take? What are your TSH, FT4 & FT3. If these aren’t ideal you may not be well enough to stick to eating the right kinds of food and exercising.

Also important to test nutrients, has this been done?

[userotc]

In your shoes, I'd consider a private, naturopathic nutritionist to help with the IR (meds and medic not working anyhow). He/she may also help with the thyroid issues too.

[Danielj1]

Hello

I am discovering a new path for 2022 based around intermittent fasting and trying to reduce insulin resistance - all I will say is that I used to be able to eat next to nothing before weight would add on -and two months in i can finally start to eat larger meals like everyone else in the family. A load of other benefits to not being so tired after eating carbs, better sleep patterns, feeling very calm about life etc etc plus 5.5 kgs down after trying for 3 years without losing an ounce. Watched some great videos on you tube last night for some of the theory behind it all - what started as a “nice idea” is turning into a way of life for the better