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Hyperinsulinism diet recommendetion
Hi, I have hiperinsulinism with Polychistic Ovaries that is something like a prediabetes, so my methabolism works slower and I'm not sure how should I take my portions distribution for my condition to lose weight, if someone can help me. Thanks.
I was diagnosed by an endocrinologist with the problem of producing too much insulin 7 years ago. Life is much better for me now. I had dieted and exercised for years and my weight kept creeping up. I sought help from very reputable physicians at well-known hospitals to no avail. Each one proclaimed that I was fine and did not have diabetes and I just needed to watch what I ate. I was so frustrated; nothing seemed to work. I used to joke that I was allergic to food. In a sense, that is how the body works when the pancreas is sick. Everything we eat turns to sugar to provide energy to our bodies. If there is too much sugar the body produces insulin to keep it in balance. If you are diabetic you don't produce enough insulin. If you have my problem the pancreas produces too much insulin. It seems to be a matter of not knowing when to stop the production. The insulin takes the excess sugar in the blood and turns it to fat. If you produce too much insulin it keeps turning everything you eat into fat. The result is you never seem to feel full and/or are always hungry. Symptoms of low blood sugar include getting the jitters/shakes, cold chills/sweats, blurred or narrowing vision and passing out/fainting. If you experience these symptoms sugar in the form of a sugary drink or hard candy can help quickly (don't overdo it). But be sure to follow up with something like nuts which digest slower to help stabilize your sugar levels. Other long term symptoms from too much insulin include skin tags and brown spongy mole-like patches on the skin. The pancreas, kidneys and liver can be tender or enlarged too.
I think a lot of people, doctors included, call the condition pre-diabetic because it stands to reason if the pancreas continues to overwork itself it might wear itself out and not be able to produce insulin any longer. Then you become diabetic. I think if caught early enough and treated properly that can be prevented.
What to do: You must see an endocrinologist, a physician specialist who can rule out a whole bunch of other problems that can be causing some of your symptoms. I went through all those too. The test that seemed to be definitive for my doctor was checking my blood sugar levels every day for 2 weeks 2 hours after my biggest meal (i.e. dinner). I did this and my blood sugar levels were always in the 80 to 90 range. Some of the symptoms of low blood sugar mentioned above start to occur at 70 or below.
Prescriptions: I was prescribed Metformin ER (extended release). It works to inhibit the production of fat and help eliminate excess sugar in the blood. The dosage seems to be related to the number of calories you need in your diet and the amount of excess insulin your pancreas creates. It may take a year or two to work the right dosage.
I was also prescribed Byetta which slows the metabolism and slows the release of insulin. Slowing the metabolism seemed counter-productive to me but it really works at keeping the insulin and my incessant hunger at bay.
Additionally, Alli, a non-prescription level, is used to block the absorption of any excess fat created by the excess insulin working on the sugar in the blood.
Last but not least is a diabetic diet. Enough said except try to avoid sugar except when you think your blood sugar level is crashing.
Results: I dropped about 35 to 40% of my body weight within about 18 months without any extra exercise or decrease in amount of food intake. My blood pressure came back in range and other weight related issues like sore knees improved. I have been holding steady within 5 pounds ever since. Life is good now.
If you have this problem, I hope this will help. God bless you all.
I think a lot of people, doctors included, call the condition pre-diabetic because it stands to reason if the pancreas continues to overwork itself it might wear itself out and not be able to produce insulin any longer. Then you become diabetic. I think if caught early enough and treated properly that can be prevented.
What to do: You must see an endocrinologist, a physician specialist who can rule out a whole bunch of other problems that can be causing some of your symptoms. I went through all those too. The test that seemed to be definitive for my doctor was checking my blood sugar levels every day for 2 weeks 2 hours after my biggest meal (i.e. dinner). I did this and my blood sugar levels were always in the 80 to 90 range. Some of the symptoms of low blood sugar mentioned above start to occur at 70 or below.
Prescriptions: I was prescribed Metformin ER (extended release). It works to inhibit the production of fat and help eliminate excess sugar in the blood. The dosage seems to be related to the number of calories you need in your diet and the amount of excess insulin your pancreas creates. It may take a year or two to work the right dosage.
I was also prescribed Byetta which slows the metabolism and slows the release of insulin. Slowing the metabolism seemed counter-productive to me but it really works at keeping the insulin and my incessant hunger at bay.
Additionally, Alli, a non-prescription level, is used to block the absorption of any excess fat created by the excess insulin working on the sugar in the blood.
Last but not least is a diabetic diet. Enough said except try to avoid sugar except when you think your blood sugar level is crashing.
Results: I dropped about 35 to 40% of my body weight within about 18 months without any extra exercise or decrease in amount of food intake. My blood pressure came back in range and other weight related issues like sore knees improved. I have been holding steady within 5 pounds ever since. Life is good now.
If you have this problem, I hope this will help. God bless you all.
Hello my baby was now 17 months old, He is suffering from hyperinsulinism with hypoglocimia and developmetal delay. we are trouble which food should be given and which food shouldnot given to him. His insulin level is 7.9.sometime his gulcose level goes down up to 25.If some can help me. Thanks.
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, I'm not a nurse or medical professional at all. I'm just someone who has my own medical issues, plus members of my family have diabetes, etc and I've done a lot of research on a lot of subjects.
I'm sorry, I can't tell you what's wrong with you, especially, based on the small amount of information you gave. Your symptoms don't seem to be constant, so would be hard to pinpoint.
If your blood sugar drops and you get the shakes, that could mean you aren't eating often enough, or the right kinds of food. This can also cause you to be tired, but there are also other causes, so you should talk to your doctor and see about getting some tests run.
Major ones I'd recommend, off hand, would be blood sugar, A1c, and a full thyroid panel, which includes TSH, Free T3 and Free T4, though there are a lot of other things that could cause you to be tired, including low vitamin B12 or D, plus a whole lot more.
Best of luck
I'm sorry, I can't tell you what's wrong with you, especially, based on the small amount of information you gave. Your symptoms don't seem to be constant, so would be hard to pinpoint.
If your blood sugar drops and you get the shakes, that could mean you aren't eating often enough, or the right kinds of food. This can also cause you to be tired, but there are also other causes, so you should talk to your doctor and see about getting some tests run.
Major ones I'd recommend, off hand, would be blood sugar, A1c, and a full thyroid panel, which includes TSH, Free T3 and Free T4, though there are a lot of other things that could cause you to be tired, including low vitamin B12 or D, plus a whole lot more.
Best of luck
are you a nurse?
I had a baby 14 months ago. I have had where my blood sugar drops and i get the shakes about 5 times in the last year. I also get really tired some times and a little where my eyes will not focus. What is wrong with me
I had a baby 14 months ago. I have had where my blood sugar drops and i get the shakes about 5 times in the last year. I also get really tired some times and a little where my eyes will not focus. What is wrong with me
Hi, thanks for the answer. I already had the thyroid test and I don't have any problem with that, is just the hiperinsulinim and the PCOs, and also I've already been treated with medication but my doctor said that I don't needed anymore. Right now I just have to keep loosing weight with exercise and diet, it's been really hard, but I've lost already 4 pounds in like 1 year, that's why I'm right now good with my insulin levels, but I need to keep loosing weight or I will have to get back to the treatment all over again. So I wanted to ask you, if my condition is prediabetes, I should eat like a diabetic or has to be something different? because in many prediabetes diets I can't find so much differences with a diabetic diet, and also the quantity of carbs is a lot more higher than I understand I should eat, if I take in consideration that in my condition the carbs are more difficult to lose. I'm really lost in all this part so if you can help me I would be really greatfull. Thanks.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hyperinsulinism is prediabetes. Insulin causes the body to store fat. PCOS is a separate issue, but they both cause weight gain/inability to lose. With preidiabetes and PCOS, I'd have to wonder if you've also had your thyroid tested to make sure you don't have hypothyroidism, since it's basically the thyroid that controls metabolism, specifically, a hormone called Free T3.
With prediabetes, you need to eat foods that are on the low glycemic list.
There are 2 types of carbohydrates: simple carbs, which are those made of refined sugar, flour, white rice, etc. These carbs enter the blood stream very quickly and will cause blood sugar to rise fast, then in a short while, once they are used up, blood sugar will drop just as quickly as it rose, causing you to feel weak and shaky. At this point, most people would eat something sweet again, to bring up the blood sugar, which causes a vicious cycle.
The other type of carbs are the complex carbs. These take longer for the body to break down, so they don't spike your blood sugar; they keep it at a more constant level. These foods include most vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, etc. You can google "low glycemic diet" or "low glycemic foods" and find lists of this type of food.
In addition, make sure you add protein, in the form of lean meats, low/no fat dairy, etc. These will also help keep your blood sugar levels more stable, because it takes longer for them to break down.
Many doctors will prescribe a medication called metformin to help control blood sugar levels, and it's prescribed for PCOS, as well.
With prediabetes, you need to eat foods that are on the low glycemic list.
There are 2 types of carbohydrates: simple carbs, which are those made of refined sugar, flour, white rice, etc. These carbs enter the blood stream very quickly and will cause blood sugar to rise fast, then in a short while, once they are used up, blood sugar will drop just as quickly as it rose, causing you to feel weak and shaky. At this point, most people would eat something sweet again, to bring up the blood sugar, which causes a vicious cycle.
The other type of carbs are the complex carbs. These take longer for the body to break down, so they don't spike your blood sugar; they keep it at a more constant level. These foods include most vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans, etc. You can google "low glycemic diet" or "low glycemic foods" and find lists of this type of food.
In addition, make sure you add protein, in the form of lean meats, low/no fat dairy, etc. These will also help keep your blood sugar levels more stable, because it takes longer for them to break down.
Many doctors will prescribe a medication called metformin to help control blood sugar levels, and it's prescribed for PCOS, as well.
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All carbs are not created equal. As I said before, avoid simple carbs and stick with the complex carbs contained in veggies and whole grains, and you should do well, because it takes the body longer to break them down. Just make sure you watch portion sizes. Most veggies are "free" and can be eaten in unlimited amounts, with the exception of those containing a lot of starch.