Hi all, not sure if anyone is available to reply several years after this post was started, but let’s see!
I have a diagnosis of PCOS and have only recently become aware that a common symptom is insulin resistance. I’ve struggled for years with what I now think might be reactive hypoglycaemia - basically after taking in too much sugar I very quickly start to feel like my blood sugar has plummeted - I get shaky, anxious, hot flashes, nauseous, etc. I try to manage this as best I can by being mindful of my diet but it still happens from time to time and the symptoms have started to feel worse and last for longer.
I have been to my GP about this (in the UK) and they did an HbA1c which came back in normal range. My understanding is this test won’t necessarily show insulin resistance, but my GP won’t investigate further because of the ‘normal’ results. So I’m looking into how to get tested privately for insulin resistance.
Various forums tell me an oral glucose/insulin tolerance test is the best to go for, does anyone have advice on where I might access this? I saw Medichecks was suggested a few years ago but they don’t seem to have it anymore, instead they have an insulin resistance test which “Measures random glucose, insulin, fasting insulin, and fasting insulin resistance index to evaluate how effectively your body uses insulin and regulates blood sugar”
Not sure how similar this is or if it would still be worth doing. Would welcome any advice!! Thank you
It is a similar story of many posters that have posted.
I do agree that if you had the tests other than the blood panel for hba1c. Maybe it wasn't a full blood panel. That is probably why the insulin numbers were not done.
They do cost more than the hba1c to the NHS, but with hypoglycaemia, it only tells you that you don't have hyperglycaemia.
I always say Hypoglycaemic conditions as there is a few different one.
Mine is Non diabetic Late Reactive Hypoglycaemia (RH for short).
You will need a blood glucose monitor as
@Resurgam said, a CGM is a lot better.
This will help in so many ways.
I was extremely lucky to get a specialist endocrinologist that had an idea on what to test for.
I had to get a referral from a GP but that was over a decade since.
You can persuade your GP, if you have the readings of persistent Hypoglycaemia from a CGM and probably a food diary. If it showing hypoglycaemia, that should be enough. RH is becoming more well known.
With a CGM, you can start testing yourself at home. It is not the standard way from hospital tests but recording results pre meal and the hour by hour of your blood glucose levels.
If you are still getting nowhere you may have to go private,there is some very good specialist endocrinologist out there. Just hope if you do that you get the right one, rather than the idiot one I got back in 2007.
If everything else fails, there is already advice on the threads that you can control the symptoms by a change in dietary approach and without diagnosis there is such a lot to keep you healthier.
If ever you do get diagnosis, I can advise further.
Keep battling for that referral.
RH is condition where you react to what you put in your body, mainly gfood or drink. And if your body can tolerate them. And it is mainly carbs and sugars.
Best wishes.
