Sleep Apnea (or more likely UARS) vs sugar / glucose levels

[silent_one]

Hi,

I've been having sleeping difficulty for closer to 2 years, I've previously posted sleep study results and upper airway resistance has been suggested by Dr Steven Park.

Things with the Somnomed dental device have improved, as have using 50mg-100mg modafinil a day, I am trying to organise a follow up sleep study but this may be another 6 months away :(

Anyway, the only blood test (of many) that showed anything unusual was a glucose response test, after fasting:
5.0 mmol/L (normal 3.6 - 6)

After the glucose drink, which was ~60g of sugar roughly
1 hour later - 3.4 mmol / L (normal 3 .6 to 11)
2 hours later - 2.9 mmol / L (normal 3 .6 to 7.7)

Insulin is 5.5 uU/ml (normal <17)
1 hour later - 23.1 uU/ml ( normal 46 - 102 )
2 hours later - 11.8 uU/ml ( normal 23 - 59 )

I'm attempting to see an endocrinologist to get this checked out, could this relate to the UARS?
I've been given some dietary advice about it but it has not helped very much so far, I am relatively fit, and strong build (as in I lift heavy weights, 72kg currently with <12% bodyfat, I was once 65kg with slightly more bodyfat back then)

Dr Park have you seen this before?

Thanks,
Gareth

[silent_one]

Anything?

[silent_one]

Dr Park, any answer on my last question?

[silent_one]

Thanks, I'm not feeling better, I'm feeling quite bad of late.

Yes, I'm attempting to get a sleep study, its actually quite difficult because my medical insurance will cover $150 of the $700 or $950 that is charged at sleep study centres in Aus.

On another note I did buy your book from Amazon, just need to work out if I can get access to the PDF / other features that I would have gotten through your website (I couldn't afford the $20 shipping from your website)

[Steven Y Park, MD]

If you're feeling better and are relatively healthy then these glucose and insulin values should be taken with a grain of salt. You would think that if anything, your glucose levels should be higher than normal if you have OSA or UARS, since your stress responses are by definition elevated. Your glucose levels after the challenge are lower than normal, with low insulin levels as well. It's important to note that there are many other variables that can artificially lower your glucose readings, such as certain antidepressants, certain digestive problems, Addison's, thyroid problems, and many others. It's probably worthwhile to go ahead and get it checked by an endocrinologist, like you're thinking. It's also important to get a sleep study with your dental device in place. Good luck, and please keep us up to date.