The chicken or the egg? Which came first?

Nada · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2006, 01:37 PM

There is a point to this post, I promise.

I have been dx’ed as a type 2 diabetic. What I’m questioning though is whether I have always been pre-disposed to developing it.

When I was 14, I was diagnosed with high cholesterol. I weighed about 90 lbs. I was VERY skinny. My cholesterol levels are now through the roof.

When I was 16, I stopped taking the birth control pill (to give my body a break) and started developing cysts on my ovaries. This, as some of you may know, is part of a condition called PCOS. I was formerly dx’ed with PCOS later in life. One of the major markers of PCOS is also insulin-resistance (which I was also dx’ed with later). Another marker has been my belly fat. Even at 90 lbs, I had a bit of a pooch. Now, I look 5 months pregnant. That’s been difficult for me since I am infertile and desperately want another baby. But that’s a story for another day.

So, once I quit the birth control pill again in my early 20s to get pregnant, I started gaining weight. I am now overweight, borderline obese. I can’t say I eat a whole lot more than I ever did but I have become less active due to a sedentary job, sitting in front of a computer all day.

So anyway, which came first? The diabetes, or the weight gain? Does being pre-disposed to diabetes (insulin resistance) contribute to weight gain? Or does weight gain cause type 2 diabetes?

scara · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2006, 01:46 PM

hey there, as far as I am aware there is still ongoing debate over that very question and similar ones. I remember reading that there is a lot of evidence to suggest that some people start out producing too much insulin, eat to compensate, and gain weight from the extra calories as well as absorbing a higher percentage of what they eat due to the increased insulin, then become resistant to the insulin due to the weight/genetics/lifestyle...

I expect that they'll eventually find that there are quite a few routes different people take to the same place once they have it all figured out... if that ever happens...

August · #3 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nada

So anyway, which came first? The diabetes, or the weight gain?

Does being pre-disposed to diabetes (insulin resistance) contribute to weight gain?

Or does weight gain cause type 2 diabetes?

The simple answer is Both of the above are true. It's a long and complex explanation. Amazon.com has several excellent books on the subject of PCOS. MonoSodium Glutamate, sugar, doughnuts, chips, fries, etc, cause elevated insulin. Elevated insulin causes "insulin resistance" (and Hunger, and fat storage, thus obesity). Fat cells release inflamtory cytokines that cause "insulin resistance"(chiefly Nuclear factor Kappa-Beta (NF-kB).

High insulin levels cause the pituatory gland to release excess Leutinizing Hormone (LH), which in turn causes the Ovaries and Adrenal glands to overpruduce the male hormone "testosterone". Testosterone, in a female cause PROFOUND(!) obesity, and supresses Estrogen, and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Without FSH, eggs can not be edjected from the ovary to begin their journey down the fallopian tube to the uterus. Thus eggs remain attached to the ovary, where they are reduced to cysyts, and ultimatly re-absorbed. Sometimes before they are reasorbed, they may get fertilized and an "ectopic pregnancy" ensues.

PCOS is a medical speciality. It's a new and emerging area, and I think it's safe to say that only 1 in 1000, of todays "reproductive endocrinologists" are qualified to treat it. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Good luck,
August

August · #4 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 08:52 AM

The rooster.

pinkytricia · #5 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 09:12 AM

August, May I ask how you know all this? Are you in the Medical field or is this a Hobby of your... LOL

I'm not saying it is incorrect just wondering... So what is the next step or test to take if you do want to get pregnant?

August · #6 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkytricia

August, May I ask how you know all this? Are you in the Medical field or is this a Hobby of your... LOL

I'm not saying it is incorrect just wondering... So what is the next step or test to take if you do want to get pregnant?

Let's just say that I am retired and let it go at that. My only "hobby" is golf.

If you want to get pregnant, find a "reproductive endocrinologist", in your area. (If you're in a small town or rural area, go to the nearest large population center) And get evaluated. There are some basic tests, that need be done. Based on findings there are a number of possible remedial treatments, including drugs to remove the excess testosterone, injections of bioidentical hormones, to correct deficiencies, metformin or insulin to stop gluconeogenisis, etc.

Treatment is individualy tailored. It's not a simple one size fits all remedy. "Clinicians" (those who can think on their feet) are hard to find . Many MDs today are simply following a flow chart in a book. I didn't say this.;-)

Nada · #7 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 10:19 AM

We've done IVF 4 times now. My first 2 fresh cycles failed. My third resulted in my ds who's now 3.5 and our 4th was a frozen embryo transfer which resulted in a miscarriage a few weeks ago.

We will be trying a fresh cycle of IVF again in Jan-Feb, if we have the money saved.

pinkytricia · #8 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 10:46 AM

Nada
I'm sorry to hear that... Sweetie (((((HUGS))))

Rest...... Good Luck ....

August · #9 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nada

We've done IVF 4 times now. My first 2 fresh cycles failed. My third resulted in my ds who's now 3.5 and our 4th was a frozen embryo transfer which resulted in a miscarriage a few weeks ago.

We will be trying a fresh cycle of IVF again in Jan-Feb, if we have the money saved.

If you are diabetic or have PCOS, the underlying hormone imbalance must be corrected before attempting IVF, or failure is guaranteed.

Success is spelled: "reproductive endocrinologist", and they are not all the same.

Good luck,
August

Nada · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

If you are diabetic or have PCOS, the underlying hormone imbalance must be corrected before attempting IVF, or failure is guaranteed.

Success is spelled: "reproductive endocrinologist", and they are not all the same.

The fertility clinic here has a team of 5 reproductive endocrinologists. I know very well what they are. It is one of the best in Canada. I've also been at some of the leading fertility clinics in the world for consults.

My hormones are all fine. FSH, LH and E2 and progesterone. No problems there. I am now on an insulin pump to regulate my BG so hopefully that makes a difference next time. It is thought my miscarriage may have been due to my BG getting out of control.