Re: Stupid question!
From: TJ (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 30 Dec 2001 21:22:02 -0600 (CST)
Belle,
Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all that. You are an
angel! I will pass this info along to my friend.. I hope she listens to
me. Thank you again - we're so lucky to have you and Sonnet here to
provide such useful information!
Tracy
hey - I just realized that I showed up as anonymous before.. I have no
clue why, but it was me. I must have been having a blond moment or
something - I am having lots of those lately..
At Sun, 30 Dec 2001, Belle wrote:
>
>Yes, if you have ADULT onset diabetes, you *probably* have insulin
>resistance. The cause of adult onset or Type II or NIDDM diabetes is
>inappropriate insulin secretion or delayed response to a glucose load,
>this would be what we consider insulin resistance.
>
>There is a difference between insulin resistance and high insulin levels
>(hyperinsulinemia). *None* of us have been tested for insulin
>resistance unless we are one of the very few who had this testing as
>part of a research project. The IGTT does *not* test for insulin
>resistance, it tests for higher than normal insulin levels. You can
>also have cells that are resistant to insulin but have normal levels of
>insulin.
>
>First, just a refresher. In order for our cells to use the glucose that
>is in our bloodstream that comes from the food that we eat in the form
>of carbohydrates or sugars, insulin is required. Glucose attaches to
>the insulin and the insulin has a special ability to connect to the cell
>allowing the glucose to enter. If the glucose does not enter the cell,
>we are unable to use the energy from the food that we eat.
>
>The *majority* of adult (NIDDM - Non insulin dependent diabetes
>mellitus) patients are overweight. This can come from simply
>overeating, not from insulin resistance. The result of this abuse on
>the body can cause the insulin receptors on the cell to distort in size
>so that the insulin cannot properly work. This is very much like a key
>and lock system. You know that if you have a old or damaged lock, the
>key will wiggle around and you have to have it in *just* the right spot
>before you can unlock the door or start the car. Since the insulin has
>difficulties assisting the glucose into the cell, this can result in
>higher than normal glucose levels.
>
>In our case, we have a genetic pre-disposition that causes our cells to
>reject insulin. We do not have to be abusing our bodies to cause our
>cells insulin receptors to become unwilling to accept insulin.
>
>If you have a pancreas that simply does not put out enough insulin, you
>can have high blood sugar levels. There are a number of reasons why you
>would not have sufficient output from your pancreas as an adult.
>Accidents and disease process are probably the most common. In this
>case you may need to take insulin shots.
>
>How scary that this woman has decided not to treat her insulin problem.
>If you are insulin resistant, you cells are not allowing insulin/glucose
>in, your body detects that too much glucose is in the blood. Your
>pancreas then releases more insulin to compensate for the excess
>glucose. This causes the pancreas to work harder than necessary. The
>pancreas can eventually wear out and quit! At this point you have to
>take insulin shots.
>
>By taking Glucophage, you are simply helping your cells take in the
>insulin/glucose, you are not going to be detrimental to your pancreas.
>Glucophage may help your pancreas work longer putting off insulin
>injections.
>
>It is the excess glucose and insulin that causes damage to your body. By
>this woman encouraging her daughter to allow her body to continue in a
>disease state, she could actually be killing her daughter which would be
>contrary to her original intent. Diet and exercise should be a part of
>the daughter's daily regime but if she is "on the verge of becoming a
>diabetic", she should do *everything* in her power to ward this off. I
>have worked with many patients who have had to have limbs or appendiges
>removed because of diabetes. Their sight has diminished or gone. They
>have difficulty getting up to go to the bathroom and usually end up
>having a port-a potty next to their bed. They generally regret not
>taking their medicine.
>
>At Sun, 30 Dec 2001, anonymous wrote:
>>
>>This made me think of a question that pops into my mind from time to
>>time.. If someone has high blood sugar levels does it automatically
>>mean that they are insulin resistant? Like, are all adult onset diabetes
>>patients insulin resistant first? I have a friend who found out that she
>>is on the verge of becoming a diabetic and her doc gave her glucophage.
>>Her mother talked her out of taking it because it will "cause her
>>pancreas to be lazy and not pump out enough insulin." I disagree with
>>her not taking the medication, but she wants to try diet and exercise
>>first - which is fine and hopefully that will keep everything in check.
>>But is there any truth to this pancreas thing? And does Type II Diabetes
>>always start with insulin resistance? I am so confused!
>
>--
>Hope this helps,
>
>Belle
>
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