Severe insulin resistance

[Melginty13]

Hi everyone, was recently at my endo appointment and asked them to talk me through my type of diabetes as I have secondary diabetes due to cancer treatment and hypothyroidism. I am insulin dependent and most of the times I require 20 units every time I eat just to keep my sugar levels below 10 . My endo said I have severe insulin resistance and even tho I produce my own I still don’t produce enough for it to be effective so hence why I need so much insulin. I’m not overweight I’m 5ft 3 and only weigh 55kg so they aren’t sure why I’m so insulin resistant, she explained that while I probably won’t test positive for type 1 antibodies I still basically am similar to one that has type 1 as my body doesn’t know how to use the insulin I produce . It’s very frustrating for me as I am wanting to get a pump and due to not testing positive for t1 antibodies they won’t give me one as of yet . Anyone else have the same problem with insulin resistance?

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi @Melginty13 Insulin Resistance is associated with Type 2 Diabetes (it is thought to cause Type 2 Diabetes, but I don't want to delve into cause and effect here).
Most Type 2's start off by producing more and more and more insulin due to the Insulin resistance as the body desperately tries to shift potentially dangerous high blood glucose out of the blood stream to somewhere safer to store it. But eventually if nothing is done to turn off the blood glucose tap, by reducing the amount of carbohydrates eaten, or by exercising away all this surplus glucose, their overworked pancreas eventually gives up and then they produce little to no insulin.

So nearly every Type 2 diabetic in this forum either has, or used to have moderate to severe Insulin Resistance, as do some unfortunate Type 1's.

 

[Melginty13]

Hi @Melginty13 Insulin Resistance is associated with Type 2 Diabetes (it is thought to cause Type 2 Diabetes, but I don't want to delve into cause and effect here).
Most Type 2's start off by producing more and more and more insulin due to the Insulin resistance as the body desperately tries to shift potentially dangerous high blood glucose out of the blood stream to somewhere safer to store it. But eventually if nothing is done to turn off the blood glucose tap, by reducing the amount of carbohydrates eaten, or by exercising away all this surplus glucose, their overworked pancreas eventually gives up and then they produce little to no insulin.

So nearly every Type 2 diabetic in this forum either has, or used to have moderate to severe Insulin Resistance, as do some unfortunate Type 1's.

Hi thanks for your reply , yeah I knew it was linked to t2 but t2 has been ruled out for me and think it’s a more rare type of diabetes as it basically stems from chemo and radiation I had whilst havin cancer treatment as a child . I did go through a time where I didn’t need any insulin but the past 2 years I’ve needed it constantly and my endo doesn’t think I will be able to do without it now so I will be insulin dependent

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi thanks for your reply , yeah I knew it was linked to t2 but t2 has been ruled out for me and think it’s a more rare type of diabetes as it basically stems from chemo and radiation I had whilst havin cancer treatment as a child . I did go through a time where I didn’t need any insulin but the past 2 years I’ve needed it constantly and my endo doesn’t think I will be able to do without it now so I will be insulin dependent

Insulin Resistance isn't just a Type 2 thing. As I said, it can affect Type 1's too giving them so-called 'double diabetes' and it can also affect Type 3C or those with a damaged or missing pancreas. Overall, it is very common, and as I said almost universal in Type 2's.

 

[Melgar]

Hi Melginty13, I hope your treatment is going well for you. Secondary diabetes is usually caused by a medication.
Insulin Resistance is when your body is unable to use the insulin your pancreas is producing efficiently. Insulin is a hormone that acts like a key in to your cells, allowing glucose to enter your cells for energy. Your skeletal muscles use 70% of all carbs you consume. So if your body is not able to use insulin efficiently it can have quite the impact on your blood sugars. That said, you don’t have to be diabetic to have insulin resistance. And not everyone who had insulin resistance is diabetic. There is a debate on what causes insulin resistance in the medical research community, so there is no straightforward answer. It is complex. As you get older, however, it is said that insulin resistance increases, I have read that inactivity can increase insulin resistance so can excess weight, but then you get thin fit people with insulin resistance so clearly it is complicated.
Most people who have type 2 diabetes are insulin resistant. Diabetes arises when your pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to counter the insulin resistance and what you eat, in particular your carb intake from such foods as pasta , potatoes, breads, pastries, root veggies etc. In type 2 the pancreas has had some insult that affected the beta cells that produce insulin to not produce enough insulin to counter the insulin resistance and food intake. This makes it difficult for the body to keep blood sugars down. I am not a Dr so I cannot Ventura further than that to say why you have high blood sugars and insulin resistance.

So answering your question around insulin resistance is a complex one, especially as you have secondary diabetes. Pregnant women can sometimes develop gestational diabetes , this is caused by insulin resistance during pregnancy, some go on to develop Diabetes Mellitus some don’t . Your Question does not have a straightforward answer.