Hi. I was recently diagnosed with PCOS, and relatd to that, insulin resistance. I have been learning that a low carb diet and excersize is my ony chance at keeping this disorder in checck unless I want to go on meds. anyone else out there have this problem? reply here on the board as right now I have limited ability to check email accounts. Has anyone overcame this via diet only?

I think I'm starting to experience this right now. I've posted questions because my periods have become very unusual. I'm going to start doing some research on this topic but I've heard before that there is a connection between insulin and PCOS. Not a surprise since estrogen is regulated by body fat.

My daughter has been diagnosed with insulin-resistance.(13 yrs. old) At the time of the diagnosis, there was very little information to be found and the Dr.s didn't seem to know exactly what to do about it. Losing weight was recommended-but the diet was strictly a lo cal diet.. carbs didn't matter, which confused me. I know that it is a vicious cycle. IR can cause obesity and obesity can cause IR. I have finally found a book called Syndrome X, which is what IR is called now. I have read SO much about PSOD (are those initials correct?) on these boards and I am very concerned for my daughter. She really struggles with the urge to eat-caused by the insulin levels being high. How were you all diagnosed? Has it become a routine check now? I know that it is growing rapidly due to the nations poor diet. I hope it doesn't sound as it I am rambling. This is a very serious subject to me right now. I am trying to get her to count points with me, ans she seems real interested, but then doesn't count them!! Dealing with a 13 year old female can be tricky to say the least. I need to make her another blood-test appt, so that will motivate her more than what I say, I'm sure. Thanks for listening to me. L&L

I was diagnosed with insulin resistance in '96. I was diagnosed after my Dr. performed a glucose (blood) test. I fasted for a certain amount of hours prior to the test and then went into my Dr. and had some blood drawn. I then drank some glucose and had more blood drawn every half hour for about 3 hours. My insulin levels at certain time points were much higher than they should be, which is how she made the diagnosis. I went on a lower carb eating plan and felt like a new person within days. I did not eliminate fruits and vegetables...I just drastically cut down my really starchy carbs (cereal, pasta, bread, potatoes) and drastically cut down my simple sugars (syrup, soda, candy, jelly). One thing that really helped was always making sure I ate a protein and some fat with my carbs.

Hi Meow,

I was diagnosed PCOS and insulin resistant in February of 1999. My doctor was very helpful in discussing treatment options and we talked a lot about how diet affects these two things. Both of our main concern was the fact that there is a 40% chance of developing diabetes with PCOS. She suggested looking into the Sugarbusters way of eating, but she recommended that I meet with a registered dietician first. I did a lot of research, read the book, met with a dietician, and started Sugarbusters at her recommendation.

I lost 99 pounds and have only had two cysts rupture in the past two years. However, I slacked off on that way of eating this summer and started eating foods that raised my insulin levels too high (high glycemic index). I gained back about 20 pounds before I got back on track.

I recommend doing some research on glycemic index of foods and how it affects insulin levels, health, and weight. There are many websites out there. Here is a good place to start: http://www.mendosa.com/gi.htm

Good luck! :)

Erin