On insulin resistance

December 26, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: How can a person have a high insulin level but a normal fasting blood sugar?

DEAR READER: The simple answer: insulin resistance, a condition in which the body produces faulty insulin. To compensate, the pancreas produces excess amounts in order to drive sugar into cells to be used for energy. In most instances, this will lead to type 2 diabetes if certain precautions aren’t taken.

Those at risk of developing insulin resistance are individuals who are overweight, inactive, have a family history of diabetes or insulin resistance, have developed gestational diabetes, have polycystic ovary syndrome, get less than five and a half hours sleep each night, are over the age of 45, and African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, or Pacific Islanders.
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Filed Under: Daily Column, Leading Letter Tagged With: ,

Reader finds help for chronic fatigue

January 26, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Some time ago, you received a letter from a 47-year-old female who was always tired. There was a section where she stated that following breakfast, she had to fight to keep from taking naps all day long. This was a “light bulb” moment that made me think she may have the same problem that I did.

I, too, had the same confusing symptoms and fought them for 11 years. My doctors and I looked at many possible causes, such as depression, endocrine disorders, sleep problems, fibromyalgia, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes and more. I had no energy, always felt as if I had a hangover and was unable to work or even complete simple tasks of daily living. I felt as though I were disabled.

My endocrine specialists wanted me to try the drug acarbose for what I thought was unrelated insulin resistance and low blood-sugar episodes. [Read more...]

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