Hi everyone. I’m 28, male, from Missouri. I have a desk job but try to remain fairly active as I run around twice a week and I generally am at the gym 3x a week. I was always pretty small growing up, but medications for depression made me begin to gain and lose weight in high school. Finally, around 2003, at 168 or so, I decided to try to get things more under control – and I have. I currently am about 140 pounds. My dad is a type 2 diabetic, diagnosed after having a stroke at the age of 45. He and my mom both have weight issues.
The reason I mention all of this is because starting about 2 or so years ago, I began getting very weak at different times of the day. I didn’t know it at the time, but I believe I was actually addicted to caffeine because of this symptom and drank a lot of diet sodas that were high in caffeine. I have since cut that down by about 75-80% but still occasionally have caffeine as I have not directly linked it to any of my problems quite yet.
What began 2 years ago hasn’t subsided. It seems to happen quite often, especially on work days (Mon-Fri). I will eat, and I’ll be okay (assuming I’m not still hungry) and anywhere from 10 minutes to about 3 hours later, I get weak, foggy minded, can’t focus on anything, and tend to be a bit irritable. This is fixed by eating. I’ve learned what is good to eat, like nuts/almonds, for example as opposed to a candy bar. I’m definitely not new at having this symptom, and while I’ve learned how to fix it – I’m still not sure why it’s happening. I also have several other symptoms, which I’m not sure why they are happening.
I’ve done a lot of research online and when I read about insulin resistance, it seems to pinpoint nearly everything I’m experiencing. I’m not overweight, and I think that doctors tend to think you have to be overweight to have an issue (at least my current doctor does). I’m paranoid about becoming overweight and have always monitored calories, macronutrients, etc. When looking at the symptoms for insulin resistance, this is what I see:
Fatigue – I definitely have this off and on, along with the energy level changes, but my sleep patterns haven’t always been normal either. I am getting the same amount of sleep I have been for many years.
Brain fogginess and inability to focus – I mentioned this is most often the first symptom.
High blood sugar – I do not know for a fact I have high blood sugar, though a friend of mine recently purchased a monitor (she has PCOS) and I plan on borrowing it!!
Intestinal bloating – This has been going on for many years for me as well. I first thought it was my imagination, but after more reading over the last several months, I know I’m not.
Sleepiness, especially after meals – I never knew why this was the case, but definitely.
Weight gain, fat storage, difficulty losing weight – Just as it says, despite my decent weight, I have a high fat amount in my abdominal area that I have done everything to try to rid myself of.
Increased blood triglyceride levels – From what I’m hearing, my blood work often comes back normal in this. For our insurance at work several months ago, we had to do a test and my “good cholesterol” was lower than it should be, but my bad cholesterol was also down.
Increased blood pressure. Due to my exercise (most likely) and possibly the antidepressant I take, my blood pressure seems to be okay.
Depression. I’ve had this and been treated for this for many years.
Acanthosis nigricans. I had to search what this actually is, and I had no idea! I have been wondering why all of a sudden so many brown marks have been appearing lately! I am shocked that it could be related to this.
Increased hunger – Obviously.
So after seeing my primary care doctor, I feel like I’m no where. My current doctor checked blood work and said if I was about 30 more pounds, I might need to worry. He also said my triglycerides look okay and gave me a hemoglobin A1C test, which came out to be 4.8 (normal). Afterwards, he sent me on my way. I am worried about this, as every day seems like a struggle – when to eat, how much, etc! I do not know how a doctor can ignore all of these symptoms, or am I just blowing this out of proportion?