r/InsulinResistance

I have insulin resistance but had some stress at work and felt off the wagon and ate just carbs and sugar all day. Since then my fatigue is through the roof and I am sure its from insulin resistance. Will fatigue get better If I try a low carb diet ? Thanks .

Both my endocrinologist and my gynecologist only prescribe regular metformin. I asked about extended release and my gynecologist said there is none. I asked about "Siofor XR" but my gynecologist said this isnt the same as regular metformin

I've been to be about 3 doctors already trying to figure out what's been wrong with me. I am constantly tired, can't lose weight in stomach area even though I workout consistently & eat relatively healthy, fall asleep after eating, and i have the dark patches of skin on my arm pits, neck and inner thighs. I suspect I have either PCOS or insulin resistance but all my doctors have said my only problem is iron deficiency and I just need to lose weight (as if I haven't been trying for years!)

My glucose fasting is 4.7 mmol (3.5-6.0) is the healthy range & insulin fasting is 167 pmol (20-180) was listed as the other healthy range.
When i typed this into a homa-ir calculator my results were 5.8!! Meaning im severely insulin resistant???

I tried to bring this up to my current doctor because iron deficiency doesn't seem to correlate with why i'm always on the verge of passing out after eating almost anything and she told me she didn't know what the HOMA-IR is and that it has no real basis in medicine. I'm just confused because online it says it's a widely used method?

I have a history of pcos and just got prescribed metformin due to a rapid weight gain over the past year (50+ lbs after pregnancy). I am a little hesitant because there was a recall a few years ago over metformin extended release being contaminated with NDMA. I was taking metformin at that time and took a 3 month supply of a recalled drug due to my pharmacy not notifying me.

I have some questions:

1. is my risk of cancer higher because I took the contaminated metformin a few years ago?
2. what are your personal experiences with taking metformin for pcos and do you have any tips?
3. do you have any diet advice for someone with intense carb / sugar cravings?

Hello. I’m 22yo, I’m not overweight but I do experience a lot of IR symptoms. Because of that I went to the doctor and it turns out I do have insuline resistance, PCOS and prediabetes. I eat healthy, I move a lot, I drink a lot of water etc. They prescribed me metformin to try for a few months. I know nothing about insuline resistance for now and I have no idea what might be the reason for me to have it because all of my family members are healthy and have no history of diabetes or PCOs in the family. I’m willing to learn about how to live with it and I wanted to ask you what is your experience with taking these meds?

Hello All, I found this subreddit and thought I ask here. I have been doing function health tests for last 2 years. My HbA1C has been 5.1, 5.2 and 5.2 over last 1.5 years, testing every 6 months, blood glucose fasting 93, 100, 92 but the insulin 25, 31, and 32, lipid such as LDL, Triglyceride, cholesterol all high, free an total testosterone going down every 6 months. My primary care just suggested statin but nothing else. I also have high homocysteine but everything else is fine. Any suggestions or things you tried to bring down the insulin below 10? Are testosterone and lipids related?

I don't entirely understand my insulin resistance. I'm an overweight 24f who has a few medical conditions such as Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism, and PCOS (allegedly). I know that there are a many links between IR and these conditions.

I know that my weight plays a huge role in causing IR (no pun intended). I was probably around 16-17 when I was suspected of having it. Throughout the years I've been prescribed Metformin (IR & XR), tried natural stuff, been on and off diets, and most recently been encouraged to try the GLP-1 Tirzepatide. However nothing has been sticking with me and I honestly feel burnt out at this point.

What's odd is that my glucose and A1c levels are always good. Like throughout the last 7 years neither my glucose nor my A1C levels have ever been high with my most recent labs showing my A1C at 5.3 and glucose at 81. However my endo told me that I have very high markers for IR. I mean I display nearly all the classic symptoms. What's even more confusing is that looking back at old medical records it was suspected that I could have type B insulin resistance. Which is supposedly quite rare and I really don't know the full extent of this condition.

On top of all this I've been doing extensive research because I have a long list of symptoms and conditions (especially skin conditions). I have keratosis pilaris,  eczema, acanthosis nigricans, seborrheic dermatitis, and folliculitis. Honestly my skin is a disaster. There have been many strong links found between IR and these conditions. Now I'm starting to suspect that most of the health issues and symptoms that I face must stem from IR.

So for right now my top priority is to lose weight cause I know it will help. Though I still feel so overwhelmed and I wonder if I'll have this condition for the rest of my life. I honestly would really appreciate some advice on ths!

I’ve 32F been struggling to stick to my calorie deficit and keep on eating more! Because of this I haven’t lost much weight in the last 10 weeks. I’ve lost just 3 lbs and I have 50 lbs in total left. So I’ve been struggling because of intense cravings and I have PCOS/PMOS too. Like cravings that I can’t ignore. Also I can’t cut carbs because it gives me severe anxiety and panic attacks. I also lose my sleep. I try to stick to low GI carbs at 40% of total calories. And carbs make me sleep better! I have been eating some sugar recently. Not crazy amounts but definitely eating desserts and icecream with family, brownies, chocolate etc could that be why I’m having so much cravings? Also I’m quite stressed out- does that also increase cravings? Please help me figure out how to deal with the cravings and reduce them. I need to lose weight so badly 😭

As the title says I managed to bring down my A1c. This is with the help of metformin 500mg once a day since Sept. Since diagnosis I have been walking every after meal, reduced snacking high carb foods. Strength training 3x week sometimes 4. Improving sleep, fiber maxxing, managing stress. I did a 180 lifestyle change. I lost 22lbs and seemed to hit plateau. Started my body recomposition, my arms are starting to show muscle.

Now my endo wants me to stop metformin. Im a bit scared honestly, bec I have healthy anxiety. Sometimes I cant stop checking my glucose, I dont use a CGM. But for those who have stopped. I need advise pls. I just want words of encouragement. I still have cravings of course of pastries ice cream and cookies. I eat them in controlled or small portions usually after a balanced meal

So, my access barriers are ARFID, disability, chronic illness, fatigue, burn out and living alone.

I did do a structured diet from a weight loss dr ( macro goals of carbs and protein mostly). I lost weight but that lifestyle of tracking, less processed food, weighing food, cooking etc was not sustainable for me. I don’t know how long it took but I have gained most of the weight back. I’d only lost about 15 pounds.

With my ARFID and burnout, I’m having to introduce processed foods back in and I’m terrified of gaining more weight and my numbers (which were good last time) going up.

I’m just curious if anyone has had success keeping numbers normal and losing weight in their 40s with lots of access barriers/eating processed food.

I figured eating this type of stuff is better than not eating. Eating is chore and I would rather have like a feeding tube or one going into my stomach. They should seriously make that an option.

I also can’t do meds so I’m having to solely attempt diet and exercise.

My gynecologist noticed that my insulin is pretty high in comparison to glucose, got 2.47 on HOMA-IR, will go to diabetologist but haven't gotten the appointment yet (insurance covered appointments to specialist in my country take forever). That was my score in December which also was when I was 16 pounds lighter so I imagine that my score is only worse.

I have a huge problem with gaining weight really fast and my cravings are crazy. Intuitive eating based of off my hunger cues leads to me putting on roughly 4 pounds a month.

Got really fed up with that, counted my BMR, ate yesterday at my maintenance - around 1950 kcal. The only exercise I'm doing now are fast walks since I'm also recovering from herniated disc and any attempts to workout more end up with a huge set back, severe back pain and numbness in my limbs.

Anyway, I feel like I'm driven crazy. I ate at maintenance, was so effing hungry last night, woke up super hungry and with a migraine. I've been snappy even since the morning, I just can feel so so horrible and I'm not dramatizing. Feeling like that has always prevented my weight loss cuz if any exam or whatever was approaching I could never let myself keep deficit calories at expense of failing something major in life but ever since I put on considerable amount of weight it has somehow gotten so much worse than ever. I just know it that eating a whole ass chocolate would make all these feelings go away but I won't, I can't do that myself. I am doing part of my menstrual cycle when my cravings are the weakest. Idk how I'm supposed to manage later and it's been literally just 48 hours.

I'm drinking a lot of water, a glass of electrolytes a day. Yesterday I ate 230g of carbs, 80g of proteins and 75g of fat which according to my calorie tracking app should be perfect carbs, a tid bit too little proteins and 12g too much of fat... Which shouldn't be all that major?

Anyway, is this insulin resistance thing? Do I need to wait for that appointment and be put on some meds? Is this sugar addiction and I need to power through first 3 weeks and hope for the best? Anything else?

I'm 26F, 29.7 BMI

This is not the first time I am trying to save myself.
But this is the last time I am trying for real.

I am 24F, 5’2 and 114.3 kg as of today.

Feels like depression won.
But no… I don’t want to let it win.

For almost 7 years, I have been trying to lose weight. Crash diets, starvation, dieticians, random plans, supplements, I tried everything hoping something would finally work. Instead, my health slowly started falling apart.

I was diagnosed with PCOD and insulin resistance. Along with weight gain came painful periods, constant cramps, fatigue, hair fall, inflammation, bloating, body aches and severe exhaustion. My gut health got worse, my sleep got ruined, and mentally I started breaking down too. I even suspect conditions like endometriosis because the pain never fully leaves.

I always thought one day I would get a proper job, earn enough money, consult good doctors, get proper tests done and finally heal properly. But I honestly don’t even know when I’ll get that chance anymore. The market is brutal right now. It has been 2 years since college, and despite coming from a tech background, trying different roles, even sales jobs just to survive and escape this environment, nothing worked out.
I’ve been stuck in the same loop for years now.

I’m also vegetarian, and most people just casually say “eat more protein” without understanding that my body barely tolerates dairy anymore. My gut issues have become so bad that I can’t even digest basic dairy products properly now. Curd makes me nauseous to the point of vomiting sometimes. Paneer also makes me feel sick. My digestion and liver health feel completely messed up these days, and honestly I don’t even know how I’m supposed to fulfill my protein goals anymore.

I live in a very small town where there’s no gym and barely any proper health facilities around me. Even getting proper medical help feels impossible sometimes.

And slowly, it started affecting me physically and mentally in ways I cannot even explain anymore. My nervous system constantly feels like it’s in panic mode. I don’t feel safe at home. I kept delaying help because I cannot afford consultations, tests or proper treatment. Even online consultations require blood tests and follow ups that I currently cannot manage.

A month ago, I had a major fall. Head injury, toe muscle tear, body trauma. I’m still healing. I cannot even walk properly for too long right now. During all this, I gained more weight again.

And before someone says “just work harder”, please understand this is not laziness. I still do house chores, I still try, I still push myself even when my body hurts. But there’s a difference between being lazy and being physically and mentally exhausted for years.

Yesterday, I was genuinely at the verge of ending everything.
But no… that’s not how I want my story to end.

My body has been through too much already. It does not deserve more punishment.

I know this post is messy, vulnerable and probably uncomfortable to read. But I need help. Real help. Not bullying disguised as motivation. I’ve already been bullied enough to the point of hating myself. I’ve struggled with self harm too.

So before being harsh, just remember some people are already fighting battles inside their body and mind every single day.

And despite everything…
I want to try one last time.

TLDR: 24F, struggling with PCOD, insulin resistance, chronic pain, gut issues, depression, unemployment and years of failed crash diets. My health has been getting worse physically and mentally, I can’t currently afford proper diagnosis/treatment, and after years of trying to survive, I’m trying one last time to save myself instead of giving up.

F25 152cm 61 kg, I just got my lab result showing my fasting blood sugar is normal, but insulin shows 32 got diagnose with insulin resistance but I want to reverse it by exercise first (I have not gone back to my OB yet to rule out PMOS).

Any reco protein powder?

I started taking metformin four days ago due to insulin resistance. I don’t have PCOS, and my glucose levels are still within normal range. Right now I don’t have any side effects except for a slightly upset stomach.

Do you have any advice? From your experience, how long did it take to resolve insulin resistance and stop taking metformin? Was everything okay after stopping the therapy?

I understand that it’s a good treatment, but I really wouldn’t like to take it for my entire life. At the moment I almost completely avoid “bad” carbohydrates, but I still occasionally eat sweets because my doctor didn’t fully forbid them. Overall, my diet is quite good and varied.

My blood sugar levels are normal, but my fasting insulin came back around 20. From what I searched, that seems kinda high and may indicate insulin resistance even before blood sugar becomes abnormal. Is 20 high value? Can insulin resistance exist with normal blood sugar?

Do GLP 1s work for insulin resistance because it makes you eat less or because it’s working on a hormonal level to balance out and optimize insulin? Can I reverse insulin resistance by eating less without using a GLP 1?