How long have I had IR?

That is definitely likely.

It is a possibility. It is known that insulin resistance is related to high circulating insulin, and that each of these makes the other one worse, and that each of these can be present for many years before our glucose levels are high enough for doctors to take notice and diagnose diabetes. High circulating insulin will make most of us fat, and is also thought to be inflammatory, causing many health problems. High insulin can be combated by reducing carb intake.

It is possible to be IR for decades and have no symptoms whatsoever. Catherine Croft's short presentation on Youtube cites her current research in which she says that even non Diabetics can show a measure of IR.

It is possible that I was diabetic for 8+ years before I was diagnosed quite by chance. I had no symptoms and wasn't overweight. I have trouble controlling my glucoe levels but if I don't eat anything carby and only have two meals (no evening meal) it works reasonably well but I have to watch my weight as I am only 7 stone so don't want to lose any weight.

carol43 said:

So could I have had IR all this time and nobody picked up on it.

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It's possible, my father discovered that some blood tests that he had for work indicated further investigation for type II, but nothing was ever said. Personally, I remember asking my GP in about 1980 why I was thirsty all the time, he just said "Are you peeing OK". Yes I said, so nothing ever investigate, diagnosis was in 1997. Like you say, nothing can be done about it.

I think the one consolation is that in general I think Diabetes, especially type II is taken more seriously, usually.

My own theory is IR is caused by the liver. The resistance is worse in fatty liver sufferers.
Fatty liver stops weight loss, for even none diabetics.

Solve liver health and IR will improve. Guess which is the best diet for the liver.
Low carb.

21 years ago I had medication which, it transpired, affected my liver. In 10 months I put on over 6 stones and was overweight for the first time in my life. I think the meds caused IR. Of course, I was told to eat lots of carbs, so then put on another 4 stones over the next 20 years. When i came off the meds completely, I stopped putting on weight, but didnt lose any either, until I found here and have gradually lost just over 2 stones now.

So I think I have been IR for 21 years.

IR keeps coming up, but so far nobody seems to get tested for it.

I was discussing this earlier today and it is quite possible that loads of people have it but nobody knows.

In turn, I was wondering if one of the reasons that 80% of T2s are overweight or obese on diagnosis, but 80% of overweight and obese people don't get T2 might be that they are all IR but only some of them have the pancreas fail under continued extreme load.

One big obstacle is the apparent lack of a pill to treat IR. Metformin does treat it, but only a little. Apart from that as far as I know there is only reducing carbohydrates and possibly increasing exercise which can impact on it. Treatment of most chronic conditions is unlikely to succeed unless there is a pill for it. Most people are unlikely to give up their comforts to tackle IR (where 80% of those affected may never develop diabetes).

Cue some research to blood test for IR in the general population. Countered by the "why test if we can't treat" argument from the NHS.

A big breakthrough would be a finger prick insulin test. There are tests for blood glucose and ketones. Insulin testing would give a full picture.

ickihun said:

My own theory is IR is caused by the liver. The resistance is worse in fatty liver sufferers.
Fatty liver stops weight loss, for even none diabetics.

Solve liver health and IR will improve. Guess which is the best diet for the liver.
Low carb.

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Chicken and egg thing, possibly.
Fat around the liver and pancreas can cause IR which in turn leads to more fat around the liver and pancreas and more IR.
I'm just not clear if it is the fat deposit which starts the cycle, or the start of IR which drives the fat deposits.
Either way clearing the fat away from the liver and pancreas is a good thing.

carol43 said:

just waiting for the youngest to be diagnosed.

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Genetic traits aren't always inevitable. There's been some fascinating research done with twins who you might expect to have all the same "genetic" problems, but don't. The current thinking is that environment factors come into play and diet is one of those environment factors.

People might look at me and assume that I've been eating cake, biscuits, crisps and chocolate all my life and indeed people have made stupid remarks about my size and diabetes based on the assumption that I pursued a certain diet. Nothing further from the truth. My father is type II and his sister was type I, I also have a brother, an uncle and a cousin who are type II. Then I have a brother and a sister who do not have any sign of diabetes and my brother eats everything in sight. Complicated!

Over the years my carbs came from bread and potatoes and I could blame my wife for correcting my diet after we married. I was "forced" to eat WW meals and gained 3 stone in three months. I was also forced to eat pasta, rice and potato at every evening meal when previously I didn't always bother in fact never ate pasta or rice. Who knows, but my body couldn't tolerate carbs the same way my wife can.

Yes diet plays a huge part. Exercise can reduce IR thou.
In the past I've controlled mine with 10hrs of exercise a week and very small meals.... But they did have small carbs. E.g pitta bread or one scoop of potato. A small jacket or no pasta or rice.
If only I knew then what I know now.!!!!
I'd been a slimmer type2.

Oh sorry. Edited to add. AND METFORMIN THROUGHOUT.