Question:
What is the difference between polycystic ovarian disease and diabetes?

I was diagonsed as having polycystic ovarian disease, which has something to do with insulin resistance, how is it different from diabetes besides having a very irregular period?    — bhappy1415 (posted on February 10, 2006)

February 9, 2006
I too have a diagnosis of insulin resistance, which is a form of pre-diabetes. With a diabetic, there is not enough insulin produced to balance out the sugar in the blood, causing elevated blood sugars. That results in the need for insulin to be given artificially, usually with a shot. With insulin resisitance, you have enough insulin made in the body, but the hormones will not allow your body to use the insulin available as effectively as normal. So you will eat something with sugar, and your body will react by secreting insulin, but since it is not as sensitive to the amount available you will put out more. This can be tested by having a insulin level drawn as a blood test. How I noticed I had problems was I would eat something, or be late having a meal and I felt as if my blood sugars were going to low. I would get shakey, sweaty and when I tested my blood sugar, it would be in the 60's. This was the body overreacting with making too much insulin. I have dome much better since losing weight and cutting back the carbohydrates with surgery. If you have any other questions, please email at [email protected]. Good luck. Shelly
   — scharlier

February 9, 2006
Pcos is a hormone imbalance that interferes with normal ovulation. It can also casue drastic weight gain, excessive hairiness, irregular periods. It also causes insulin resistance and is often treated with oral diabetes drugs, IE commonly Glucophage, Metformin among others. http://www.pcosupport.org/ is a support group for people w/ polycystic ovaries. Diabetes i can be one of 2 types. the most common - adult onset or type 2 is generally caused by obesity. it prevents the insulin from beingused properly ie - insulin resistance. The other less common diabetes- type 2, is caused by the pancreas failing to manufacture enough insulin.
   — **willow**

February 11, 2006
Actually diabetes is classifed as types I & II, depending on when it appears, ie juvenile or adult onset. Both types however can be insulin dependent. Type II diabetes occurs in adulthood and prematurely in obese children. PCOS is multiple cysts on the ovaries, which cause excessive hair growth, infertility , and can contribute to obesity and insulin resistance. Unfortunatley with diabetes the longer you have it the more apt you are to develop serious and life threatening complications, ie: blindness, renal failure, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and neuropathy leading to amputations. Please treat your PCOS and be kind to your body, remember it's the only one you will get. Best of Luck
   — goldroses

February 13, 2006
I too have PCOS and have been on glucophage since 1999. As explained by endocrinologist, PCOS is brought on by the insulin resistance. Was labelled diabetic soon after since PCOS also makes it hard to lose the weight...although controlling the weight reduces the diabetes and insulin resistance thus getting rid of the PCOS...it's a vicious cycle...as if the weight issues weren't enough to deal with!!
   — paula2930

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