It wasn't all that long ago my young daughter was diagnosed with what the Endocrinologist called "Insulin Resistance" associated with PCOS.

I've just been re-reading
http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/ind...rticle&id=2582
from Alzheimer's Forum.

It says in that link

• Is that for real? Neurodegeneration?
• So "insulin resistance" basically means diabetes? What do they mean... a characteristic of Diabetes? She was told she did not have diabetes.

• Neurodegeneration??? Good grief. She's 22. She's been dealing with this severe brain fog and problems with memory since she was almost 17 when she had some major surgery. Was almost like a switch. I was concerned her surgeon had taken out an Adrenal gland with the kidney, but he didn't.

• My family has no diabetes history as far as I know, but we certainly have multi-generational history of dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. My grandmother with the dementia actually probably had AD but it was a very long time ago that she died and I think it was called "hardening of the arteries to the brain" back then... just from childhood memory

• Ok so I'm freaking out a little about this supposed "neurodegeneration" connected with insulin resistance particularly as she's been having these memory problems and brain fog through all her studies and every doctor she's ever seen has just dismissed her concerns. It makes it very difficult for her.

Insulin resistance is a complex thing. It can have periods of low blood sugar, and these lows can damage nerves.

We at PN have seen many papers discussing the development of PN symptoms during insulin resistance. This may develop into frank diabetes, or not depending on the patient.

I had it for years. And only recently have crossed the line to mild diabetes, but my A1Cs remain "normal" for my age.

Insulin resistance can be treated with metformin, and it may help.
But this drug is brutal on the GI tract for some people. (including me). Control of diet remains the best way to help with it.
Following a balanced protein/fat/carb diet like the Zone or one of the metabolic X diets, many people can control it for a while.
Getting rid of sugars (which a person will crave when low) and starchy high glycemic carbs helps. I find nuts to be good snacks now, for example.

Many young women have PCOS and it seems more common today than before. In the fertility world it is treated with metformin to induce ovulation. A second best try is d-chiro-inositol which is OTC.

When severe PCOS can resemble cushings. So I wonder if your daughter has had testing for that? If she is not overweight, or have acne and the other signs, she probably has not.

As far as I know the cause of PCOS has not been found yet.
Stress has been implicated, and I grew up in a highly stressful home, and I always thought THAT was my trigger. But any stress of any magnitude could do it too... like your daughter's medical stress. Severe stress releases lots of cortisol and that is the real culprit I think.

I think the future will show other hormonal issues, like Leptin and other things that are also tied in with obesity, etc.
Just recently I saw some information that MSG interferes with Leptin's actions for example.

Insulin resistance can be improved with diet, and some exercise as well. Some minerals like chromium and vanadium, have been suggested too.

Thank you.

When she saw her first Endocrinologist he asked her about family medical history... My mother actually died from cancer of uterus at the very early age of 34. The doctor had suggested that perhaps she had PCOS. (I would imagine that was unrecognized back then of course as that's 55 years ago)

She's taking Metformin and hormone therapy as well. Totally restricted diet. Exercizing and taking supplements. None of it is helping her almost sudden onset memory problems.

So, "insulin resistance" is diabetes or not?

I'm more concerned right now about the "neurodegeneration" aspects as mentioned in that article and if "insulin resistance" is in fact Diabetes or not?

Edited to add: Cushing's Syndrome. OK. Never thought of that. Gosh, she's had so much testing but will have to run that by her. I guess that's why I was worried the surgeon had taken the Adrenal gland by mistake. eeek

She is tiny. Did have skin problems for a number of years. Not now.

Thanks again.

Insulin resistance is considered "on the way" to diabetes. Some never get there, but many do eventually if they live long enough.

I'd wonder about the brain fog, and B12 and Vit D. Both get low in some people, and then the first signs are fatigue.

Insulin resistance is thought to occur at the cell membranes where the glucose receptors are located. The insulin made is not recognized at the cell level, and hence signals go out to make more and then the pancreas over time gets stressed and the beta cells stop working and diabetes is the ultimate result.

But it could have complex autoimmune reasons, for failure too.
Even melatonin has been implicated since receptors in the pancreas were found to have melatonin needs!

Melatonin is made from serotonin by methylB12. So people who do not methylate B12 cannot make it. It is a huge biochemical web involving many things in the pancreas etc.

Thank you. You've helped me so much so fast. lol

I reckon she's turned it around especially regarding fatigue. That's been done with the diet changes, the added supplements and the exercize regime. Not that she didn't exercize before, just seems she needs to do triple that these days.

My son (Autism spectrum) has melatonin issues of course. Thanks for that tip.

You have a great day there. Much appreciated I'm sure you know.

http://thesavvyceliac.com/2009/11/02...eliac-disease/