Insulin Levels

[tracy3]

Our 13 year old son has been presenting with hypoglycemic symptoms with exercise. His insulin levels have been high and low. However, his glucose levels are low or low normal. He also presents with high normal or above normal sodium and chloride levels in his blood.

glucose=83 Feb 2
glucose=71 Jan 29
A1C=5 Jan 29
Mean Blood Glucose=92 Jan 29
Insulin=37.6 Jan 29
Insulin=7.0 Feb 5

What does it mean when your insulin is high and low without having glucose level problems?

Help we are so confused. Our son is not well. Here are his symptoms:

hair loss
weight loss
no appetite
loose stools
stomach nausea
EXTREME fatigue
hypoglycemia with physical activity


We are needing direction!!!!

Thanks,
Tracy
Z's mom

[BlueSky]

... What does it mean when your insulin is high and low without having glucose level problems? ....

Usually, it means that there is insulin resistance, but it is not sufficient to cause blood glucose to rise. But it would usually be steady and consistent. The normal insulin level for healthy young person is <10. So the Feb 5 test result was normal. But something must have caused temporary insulin resistance on Jan 29. If the liver had dumped a lot of glucose in the bloodstream this would have a similar effect (increasing insulin levels). Something must be out of whack, like the stress hormones perhaps? That could also explain glycogen depletion and hypoglycemia during exercise. It doesn't sound like diabetes. Sorry I can't be more helpful. ;)

[susique333]

I googled all the symptoms you posted and came up with one match. I have no idea if this will help.

Sure Foods Living - for celiac disease, gluten intolerance, food allergies, living gluten-free Symptoms (http://surefoodsliving.com/celiac-disease/symptoms/)

[tracy3]

The high level of insulin occured in an ACTH Stimulation test of the Adrenal glands.

[tracy3]

He was tested for Celiac disease and was negative.

[SueM]

The high level of insulin occured in an ACTH Stimulation test of the Adrenal glands.

What was the result of the ACTH test?
I would have said a lot of symptoms could be addison's related but also related to a lot of things.
Has he any skin pigmentation at all?

[BlueSky]

The high level of insulin occured in an ACTH Stimulation test of the Adrenal glands.

Isn't this to be expected? The cortisol produced raises glucagon, which releases liver glycogen. Blood glucose goes up, stimulating the production of insulin, hence the very high insulin levels. So it seems the adrenal glands are producing cortisol and, based on the Feb 5 test result, insulin levels are normal. Or am I missing something?

[Metermaid]

How are his thyroid function tests??? Sounds like they could be off?

[Emm]

Hi - I don't really know what's going on, but I just wanted to add that a lot of people test falsely negative for celiac. Also you can be gluten intolerant without being celiac. Could be worth trying a wheat free diet if you suspect this at all.

This would explain a lot of symptoms - but I'm not sure it would have any effect on the insulin production, so I'm not convinced.

Could he just be hypoglycemic? Could you try regular small meals all day and avoiding heavy-carb foods?

This must be horrible for you all to be going through - I wish you the best in finding the answers. Don't be afraid to be a little pushy with your doctor(s)!

[tracy3]

I went back over his labs and the low insulin level was during the stim test. The high level was during a lab work up on Jan 29th. The low insulin level took place during the ACTH stim test on Feb 5th. His level 7.0 with the range being 9.1-21.7 uU/mL.

Does this mean anything?