Need help for my daughter - High Insulin

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!
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Replies

  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
    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.
  • Chasity6
    Chasity6 Posts: 183 Member
    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.
  • Hchipmanj
    Hchipmanj Posts: 30 Member
    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.
  • hyoung322
    hyoung322 Posts: 1 Member
    Is there a place in fitness pal to record blood sugar checks that can be printed out in the future for the doc?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    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.
  • Turtle224life
    Turtle224life Posts: 2 Member
    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.
  • LeslieB042812
    LeslieB042812 Posts: 1,799 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    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!
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,464 Member
    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.
  • Turtle224life
    Turtle224life Posts: 2 Member
    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...
  • Sandcastles61
    Sandcastles61 Posts: 506 Member
    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.
  • alphastarz
    alphastarz Posts: 55 Member
    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.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,478 Member
    hyoung322 wrote: »
    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.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,478 Member
    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.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,175 Member
    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.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,175 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    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.
  • goldengirl111
    goldengirl111 Posts: 684 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!

    Count her carbs daily.
    That should help.

  • goldengirl111
    goldengirl111 Posts: 684 Member
    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.html
  • TinyTexn59
    TinyTexn59 Posts: 96 Member
    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.
  • lorrpb wrote: »
    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.

    This is the best advise here...

  • 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...