Need help for my daughter - High Insulin
chameleon73
Posts: 119 Member
My daughter has tried many, many times to lose weight... eating healthy, exercising.. She does the same things I do (we generally will start eating healthy together at the same time), yet while I lose weight, she either stays the same or gains. Recently had her blood tested for thyroid issues, etc, and the doc came back and said she has high insulin levels. He wants her to go low carb for six weeks and then get retested. She is already eating healthy (fresh fruits/veg, meats).
She is looking for information on where to set her nutrient levels and what types of things would be helpful vs what to stay away from. Any helpful hints or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
She is looking for information on where to set her nutrient levels and what types of things would be helpful vs what to stay away from. Any helpful hints or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Replies
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I am sorry for your daughters situation. What did doc mean when he dais low carb? This should be the guide on how to set nutrients. Can doc refer you to s dietician for guidance? High insulin is a medical condition with potentially serious results, including coma. I would encourage you to seek more specific qualified Medical advice before seeking random advice on internet. If doc can give you macro guidelines, people here can give tips on how to meet those goals. Good luck.0
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Paleo is a way to help control glucose levels. Insulin resistant here my glucose levels are at a lower fasting range and within normal limits 2 hours after meals. I have lost 15lbs in a month following this plan. Also pinto meapple, grapes and bananas are high in sugar so watch how much you eat of those. Also I weigh everything I eat so portions are not many calories.0
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Low carbs does not mean cut then all out, my sister is a type1 diabetic and I had to go in low carb when I was pregnant, did the doctor give you a meal plan? Like how many carbs per meal and snack? Mine was 30 carbs breakfast 15 carb snack 30 carb lunch 15 carb snack and 45 carb dinner. And a 1 mile walk a day. Vegis can have lots of carbs so watch for this, meats and cheese are carb free. I would suggest going to a dietitian I went to two and they really help. Just read labels, and if the foods are high in fiber you can actually subtract from the carbs.0
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Is there a place in fitness pal to record blood sugar checks that can be printed out in the future for the doc?
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How old is your daughter?
If I had high insulin I'd start regularly testing my blood sugar levels, typically first thing in the morning and two hours after a meal.
I imagine she'll have to eat like a diabetic or a hypoglycemic; eating proportioned meals on a schedule. It might help to get a dietitian's advice on this.
If she gets light-headed or dizzy get her checked out right away. Though high blood sugar is dangerous, low blood sugar is even worse.0 -
Metformin is the most widely prescribed medicine for high insulin levels. It's the culprit behind insulin resistance and the reason she can't lose weight. Does she have PCOS?
Follow any of the weight loss programs to combat insulin resistance, begin strength training and walking an hour a day. That is what is nudging me down.
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I am sorry for your daughters situation. What did doc mean when he dais low carb? This should be the guide on how to set nutrients. Can doc refer you to s dietician for guidance? High insulin is a medical condition with potentially serious results, including coma. I would encourage you to seek more specific qualified Medical advice before seeking random advice on internet. If doc can give you macro guidelines, people here can give tips on how to meet those goals. Good luck.
This!!!! So much so.....You've already gotten responses all "over the board" so to speak. Get some more clarity on what the doctor wants for your daughter and then you'll be more informed to determine which internet advice is helpful and which isn't. Good luck!0 -
High insulin is the opposite of insulin resistance. High insulin is different than high glucose. Please get proper medical direction before following the opinions given here.0
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Since one could not get a prescription for metformin w/o a doctor, one would presume she would be getting proper medical care?
Since I have 3 specialists treating me for insulin resistance caused by PCOS (and high insulin levels are a symptom of it) and the daughter isn't losing weight, which is similar to my symptoms. I thought it a safe suggestion...0 -
Turtle224life wrote: »Since one could not get a prescription for metformin w/o a doctor, one would presume she would be getting proper medical care?
Since I have 3 specialists treating me for insulin resistance caused by PCOS (and high insulin levels are a symptom of it) and the daughter isn't losing weight, which is similar to my symptoms. I thought it a safe suggestion...
A random response was about Metaforim.... It did NOT come from the OP. To the OP, definitely call the doctor back for further direction.0 -
I won't give any advice for your daughter, but I will for you and how to best support and understand her. She needs competent medical care. She very likely can't tell the difference between when her blood sugar is high or low, so extreme exercise, weight loss, and calorie restricted diets can all be dangerous (and frustrating!) without further individual guidance. How one person's body responds to certain foods can vary, for example one person may be able to eat baked potatoes or no sugar added yogurt with no problem, while the same exact foods will make a quick sugar level spike for another individual. bananas, grapes, corn, beans ect. that you might otherwise think are healthy could be a problem or need better balancing for her than you. Further, some "traditional" diet advice can be counterproductive if she is dealing with high blood sugar... for example, the don't eat x hours before bed (then you burn fat over night) habit can backfire because body fat converts to... sugar, so you wake up feeling ravenous and think you must be low, when you are really high. You both should ask for more clarification, and a script for her to see a dietician as well so professionals can help her find her own unique and safe plan, armed with all necessary information to do so.0
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Is there a place in fitness pal to record blood sugar checks that can be printed out in the future for the doc?
not specifically, there's a Notes box at the bottom of the food diary http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary but don't know about printing.0 -
chameleon73 wrote: »He wants her to go low carb for six weeks and then get retested. She is already eating healthy (fresh fruits/veg, meats).
She is looking for information on where to set her nutrient levels and what types of things would be helpful vs what to stay away from. Any helpful hints or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
She could start at 30 or 20% of calories from carbs on here, protein 20 to 35% and fats the rest. Eating fish, eggs, meat, cheese, unsweetened full fat yoghurt, nuts, low sugar berries, non-starchy vegetables (leafy green things etc). Eating carbohydrates towards the end of a meal and having calorie free gaps of several hours all helps reduce insulin.
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One can eat healthy but too much of it, as you can see from your daughter. Follow dr's instructions, but also have her watch her calories.0
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High insulin is the opposite of insulin resistance. High insulin is different than high glucose. Please get proper medical direction before following the opinions given here.
Nope. High insulin is usually caused by insulin resistance. It is the body trying to compensate, and often a step before diabetes.0 -
chameleon73 wrote: »My daughter has tried many, many times to lose weight... eating healthy, exercising.. She does the same things I do (we generally will start eating healthy together at the same time), yet while I lose weight, she either stays the same or gains. Recently had her blood tested for thyroid issues, etc, and the doc came back and said she has high insulin levels. He wants her to go low carb for six weeks and then get retested. She is already eating healthy (fresh fruits/veg, meats).
She is looking for information on where to set her nutrient levels and what types of things would be helpful vs what to stay away from. Any helpful hints or tips would be appreciated. Thanks!
Count her carbs daily.
That should help.
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Ask her doc what her daily carb goal should be. Here is more info with the amount of carb in each food
http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/understanding-carbohydrates/carbohydrate-counting.html0 -
Can I recommend she begin with going to the PCRM website and looking into their information on the of reversal of diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Their information is sound and they give recipes and easy to follow instructions.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine PCRM
She can still track it all on My Fitness Pal.0 -
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TinyTexn59 wrote: »Can I recommend she begin with going to the PCRM website and looking into their information on the of reversal of diabetes and pre-diabetes.
Their information is sound and they give recipes and easy to follow instructions.
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine PCRM
She can still track it all on My Fitness Pal.
YOU CAN NOT REVERSE OR CURE DIABETES! ANYONE WHO CLAIMS IT SHOULD BE AVOIDED!!!
The goal for people who are diabetic is to maintain tight control thru diet, exercise, and proper medication when needed.
End rant...
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High insulin is most often caused by insulin resistance. This isn't always the case, but accounts for the great majority. It is highly associated with Type II diabetes and suggests that there is some sort of underlying problem.
OP, I suggest that you ask for a referral to a qualified dietitian who can help your daughter create a meal plan. Depending on how the next round of bloodwork comes out, insist upon a referral to an endocrinologist. They are the specialists who can help your daughter far more than a general doctor. I have Type II diabetes and see my regular doctor and an endocrinologist. My primary doctor is great for many things, but she will admit that does not have the expertise in diabetes management that I deserve. I can't tell you how much hearing her say that increased my already elevated level of respect for her.
You are going to get a lot of different suggestions here.
Is your daughter currently using a glucose meter? If not, it will be difficult to tell how different ways of eating will affect her body. If the doctor is suggesting low-carb, she could start by setting her macros for weight loss to 25% carbs. I make up for the lack of carbs by increasing my fat intake. I'm certainly not recommending that she does this without her doctor's consent, but she needs more guidance from him/her than "eat low carb".
Best wishes!0 -
One can eat healthy but too much of it, as you can see from your daughter. Follow dr's instructions, but also have her watch her calories.
That's what I was thinking, too. If the daughter isn't losing, and is gaining, then she's eating too many calories. OP, is it possible she could be eating behind your back? I only ask because that's what I used to do as a child, and I ballooned.
As for the carbs, insulin etc, I'd rather you ask a medically professional rather than people here.0 -
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Seeing a dietician would be a great idea. People with high insulin levels typically should aim for an hour of exercise daily...that's what a lot of the endocrinologists I know recommend. An endocrinologist would also be a good person to see. I wouldn't just depend on the opinions on here...but would suggest professional guidance.0
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toadhunter911 wrote: »YOU CAN NOT REVERSE OR CURE DIABETES!
"Reversing Type 2 Diabetes
Our work has shown that type 2 diabetes is not inevitably progressive and life-long. We have demonstrated that in people who have had type 2 diabetes for 4 years or less, major weight loss returns insulin secretion to normal."
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm0 -
Get referred to an Endocrinologist soon. A general practitioner is just that, general. You need the help of a Dr that specializes in diabetes and if her thyroid is also an issue the same specialist can get her back on track and educate you on how to positive life long changes. Good Luck!!0
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toadhunter911 wrote: »YOU CAN NOT REVERSE OR CURE DIABETES!
"Reversing Type 2 Diabetes
Our work has shown that type 2 diabetes is not inevitably progressive and life-long. We have demonstrated that in people who have had type 2 diabetes for 4 years or less, major weight loss returns insulin secretion to normal."
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm
Many (not all) type 2 diabetics can eliminate symptoms entirely by returning to a healthy weight. Does that count as "reversing" diabetes? It depends on who you ask. I've heard the argument that if someone is required to stay at a healthy weight in order to prevent recurrence of type 2 diabetes, then that means they are essentially treating type 2 with diet and exercise. Personally, I disagree with that point and find myself annoyed by those who complain that they it is so difficult to prevent obesity-related health conditions that preventing obesity itself is akin to treating a disease.
The OP has not provided enough information for us to understand exactly what is happening, though, and I'm unclear why the OP's daughter is finding it hard to lose weight. While I'm fully aware of the difficulty of losing weight with high levels of insulin (I'm a double diabetic myself and have both the education and experience to discuss these topics intelligently), it isn't clear exactly how the dr. determined that the OP's daughter is producing a high level of insulin, whether the root cause is insulin resistance, over-active alpha cells, or if beta cells are over-active independently of those other factors. Knowing the root cause is important because the advice to give could be complete opposites depending upon what is causing the issue. In fact, the wrong advice in this case could quickly lead to hypoglycemia and possibly even death.
So here is my advice for OP's daughter: See an endocrinologist. Do not rely upon a general practice doctor because this is very complicated and high risk.0 -
I am sorry for your daughters situation. What did doc mean when he dais low carb? This should be the guide on how to set nutrients. Can doc refer you to s dietician for guidance? High insulin is a medical condition with potentially serious results, including coma. I would encourage you to seek more specific qualified Medical advice before seeking random advice on internet. If doc can give you macro guidelines, people here can give tips on how to meet those goals. Good luck.
what i highlighted. many, if not most, of us here on MFP are not medical professionals. and we don't know your daughter or her medical history. therefore, you or your daughter need to contact a medical person in your local area, or her doctor can recommend someone, to give her more information. MFP isn't a substitute for medical advice from ACTUAL medical professionals.
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I have (had) prediabetes which I have mostly reversed with a LCHF diet. I followed Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution book and had very good results.
I'm actually very LCHF and am in ketosis. I eat about 25% protein, 70& fat and 5% carbs, usually under 30 g of carbs per day. I eat a lot of meat, eggs, cream, cheese, nuts, and low GI veggies. I eat no grains or added sugars, at all, and I eat very little fruit beyond berries.
Walking or exercise also helps bring down BG levels.
You could also try looking at the Low Carber Daily Group for more people who are eating LCHF. Best wishes.0 -
I am also a very slow weight loser. I am on several meds that I believe have something to do with it. My doc and I are working on getting off some of these meds. Meanwhile, I see a nutritionist as well, and I just log in to my food diary while in her office and she keeps track of my food and exercise that way, so we can discuss how to keep healthy while reducing. One good thing has come out of all of this in that my A1C has dropped from 7.0 to 6.3 since the end of July. When a person has more difficulty getting off the weight, see a nutritionist or dietitian.0
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