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How To Lose Weight With Diet And Workout While Having Insulin Sensitivity?

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Posted on Mon, 24 Oct 2016
Question: Can people with insulin resistance lose weight w diet and exercise and metformin combined? Or does the insulin resistance cause everything to get stored as fat making weight loss virtually impossible?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Weight loss possible

Detailed Answer:
Insulin resistance does not make it difficult to lose weight with lifestyle modification and metformin. In fact both these are important treatment recommendations for those who are overweight / obese and have insulin resistance/ prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.

Other causes for difficulty losing weight need to be explored such as thyroid conditions.
When I see someone like this profile in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks the thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)

None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so one must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 hours later)
I did all of these tests and they were all normal except vitamin d was low. Can that effect weight?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
No. Vitamin D deficiency is not known to cause weight gain.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)
The problem im having with the insulin resistance is when I diet / exercise I often feel hypoglycemic and the only way to alleviate it is to eat more which then destroys weight loss attempts. My glucose is always normal if not optimal. So its a little confusing.

I also dont seems to lose much on major caloric restriction (1200cals) but seems to lose more on higher calories but lower carbs. This is also confusing bc I thought less cals= more weight loss

Ive taken every test possible and even had my adrenals ct scanned w contrast and a swallow. No growths or abnormalities. My only tests that come back high are DHEA-S (517) and fasting insulin of 24. My A1C is 4.2 which some drs say is good and some say seems hypo. My fasting glucose is 82
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Second follow up

Detailed Answer:
Your A!c and fasting glucose are both normal.

I strongly encourage you to see an Endocrinologist in-person
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 hours later)
I do & he said that I have hyperinsulina and that weight loss will cure me. However, I believe the high insulin is what caused my weight gain in the first place. He put me on 1500mg of metformin. He says the hypo feeling I get can occur from excess insulin even when glucose is normal. However I have spoken to other drs in person who say I should not feel hypo if glucose reads normal
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Third follow up

Detailed Answer:
There is a condition called Reactive hypoglycemia. It is possible you have that. You should get evaluated comprehensively to look for this possibility
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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How To Lose Weight With Diet And Workout While Having Insulin Sensitivity?

Brief Answer: Weight loss possible Detailed Answer: Insulin resistance does not make it difficult to lose weight with lifestyle modification and metformin. In fact both these are important treatment recommendations for those who are overweight / obese and have insulin resistance/ prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Other causes for difficulty losing weight need to be explored such as thyroid conditions. When I see someone like this profile in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination: CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts) Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular) HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase) Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine) TSH (checks the thyroid) 25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter) None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so one must see an endocrinologist in-person.