Question:
Has anyone else been diagnosed with producing too much insulin?

I'm pre-op. PCP ordered lots of blood work--many thyroid tests the surgeon requires, plus glucose levels, hdl's etc. Yesterday I was told I have a disorder known as Factor X or a metabolic disorder in which my body produces too much insulin. This is fairly new in the field, seems to be tied genetically, has symptoms which include hypertension (just diagnosed for me), fatigue, weight gain and difficulty to lose, etc, etc. From what I've read and researched, this leads directly to diabetes and heart disease (runs in families). Has anyone else experienced this or been diagnosed with this? How did WLS help? BTW, my PCP encourages me to continue pursuing WLS to alleviate all of this. Thanks, Mary Ann    — Mary Ann B. (posted on August 31, 2002)

August 31, 2002
Mary Ann, I am pre op and I to produce to much insulin. It's a condition called hypoglycemia. It is a form of diabetis...thought I'm not real sure how that is. Yes, you are correct it does seem to be genetic. I have an older brother who is also hypoglycemic and my father is a diabetic. It's something rather easy to control. I just have to be sure I eat every little sugar and carbs. LOTS of protien is the key. Perfect for the WLS...Good LUCK!
   — Rachel W.

August 31, 2002
I have also been diagnosed with Syndrome X, or the metabolic syndrome. It's a collection of symptoms that tend to co-occur, symptoms such as high blood pressure, elevated weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides, and elevated insulin (due to insulin resistance - basically, your body doesn't pick up on the fact that you have adequate insulin in your blood already so it produces more and more). Polycystic ovarian syndrome is also common with this (missed periods, infertility, facial hair), as is having a thick waist and neck. You only need some of these symptoms in order to be diagnosed with it, and yes it's commonly assumed to be due to genetics. It definitely CAN lead to full-blown diabetes (since your body is making so much insulin now, eventually it loses steam and can't produce enough any more), and can lead to to heart attack, stroke, etc. I'm pre-op so I can't say how WLS has affect me, but I do know that losing significant amounts of weight (as with WLS) can definitely help avert this process, though (and there are studies to prove it). :)
   — Patricia E.

August 31, 2002
Hypoglycemic is when you have low blood sugar, hyperglycemic is when you have high blood sugar. If your body produces TOO MUCH insulin you may have HYPERINSULINEMIA. Your body stores excess insulin as fat, but it's hard to burn this excess because you're contantly producing too much. Catch 22...the only way to really regulate this back to normal is to lose a lot of weight.
   — Paula Prichard

August 31, 2002

   — Rachel W.

August 31, 2002
Mary Ann, hyperinsulinemia is very common in obese people. It does lead to Diabetes (along with the others you have mentioned). I have been diagnosed with PCOS with insuline resistance and in the intial bloodwork I had 10 times the normal insulin level in my blood. My endocrinologist put me on medication that has helped but insists that weight loss surgery is the best answer! He expects it to reverse and for my insulin levels to become normal and that I will probably NOT progress to diabetes! This is one of the things listed as medical necessary on my records. Hope this helps you. Godd luck on you journey. Feel free to email me anytime you think I may be of help. God Bless.
   — garnet156

August 31, 2002
I have been diagnosed with hyperinsulinism and was put on glucophage for this. I also have poly cystic ovary disease. Symtoms that were given to me were obesity, increased facial hair, thinning hair, problems with fertility and irregular, heavy periods and not ovulating. I have all of these sx. The glucophage seems to help keep my periods regular. My docotr has told me that I have an increased risk of becoming a diabetic and also that if I lost weight my insulin levels would improve.
   — Kelly B.