Hello, I don't have a Diabeties question per se, or maybe I do :confused:

I had some labs done two weeks ago by my Endo to confirm a diagnosis of Hypothyroidism. She ran 8 vials of blood worth of tests, included in which were glucose serum (fasting) and fasting insulin. I've had the former tested in the past and just as then it came back perfectly normal 4.9 (range 3.6 - 6.0 mmol/L). Fasting Insulin, however, is another matter: 25 with a range of 40 - 190 pmol/L.

Now from what I've been able to gather when one is low the other should be high, right? Could my normal level be that low?

FWIW, I do not eat sugar or white flour. I do eat carbs, I just choose complex low glyceamic ones like sweet potatoes, yams, long grain brown rice, whole grains, steel cut oatmeal, etc. I've been doing this for about 4 years. I also workout regularly (running, elliptical machine, weight lifting [4 -6 days a week prior to the hypo blossoming that is]). And I take a few supplements that might play a role in this, most noticeably ALA (alpha lipoic acid) for it's antioxidant properties, but I know it plays a role in glucose disposal.

Oh, all these tests were done 12 hours fasting - no food or water.

Any input would be appreciated.
Nat

Anyone have any ideas?

Insulin and glucose levels are always on the move. From the sounds of things, you had a fasting blood draw which is kind of like a snapshot. It is one moment in time so it doesn't tell you a whole lot when it comes to overall control. Your glucose level might have been on the way down or your insulin level on the way up. I would try to get in for a 3 hour glucose tolerance test where they also test your insulin levels. This will give you a clearer picture as to how your body is reacting both fasting and after meals.

Another thing that could be happening is a problem with the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is a part of the Endocrine system as is the thyroid gland and the pancreas. All produce hormone which the body needs. When one is affected, the other's can be also. A complete hormone workup will give you answers as to what might be going on. This is another simple blood test.

HTH

Thank you. The endo did do a full workup (vial after vial of blood was drawn!), that was the only irregularity (other than my TSH, FT4 and FT3). I'll bring it up again when I'm back to see her and see if she's still not concerned about it.

Nat