Metabolic Syndrome! High Insulin???

I usually post on ostomies for me, but thought I would come to you guys for your opinions on my daughter. I have a 14 year old daughter that is 5"7"" and 255lbs. Yes, grossly obese. She has normal blood work, except for the insulin level, which is extremely high. She does not have diabetes. The pediatrician tried glucophage, but she had horrible stomach pain and constipation from it, so the doctor discontinued it. I am at my whits end about what to do about this. I asked for a referral to an endocronologist, but the pediatrician said that was not warranted yet. I think it is warranted, but what can I do? The doctor said she needs to eat less and move more...DUH! I know this. Has anyone ever heard of high insulin levels and no diabetes??? Won't her pancreas eventually poop out excreting insulin like that? She also has an extreme form of constipation, likely colonic inertia, which is what I have. I was thinking she may need to see a bariatric surgeon and have a lap band to try to get her to lose weight. Me and her dad are normal weight and she is 1 of 4 children, who also have normal weights. What would cause a child to get so grossly overweight and have high insulin levels?

Answers4me, if she were my child, I'd change doctors.  She needs to be re-evaluated, maybe have more tests.  First, as you realize, that much weight is hurting her (both physically and emotionally I would think).  What kinds of food do you eat in the house everyday?  Does she eat a lot of refined carbs, that is, bread and bread products, snack food like chips and crackers, cereal, potatoes, food containing sugar and flour?  Sometimes the pancreas will naturally produce insulin at high levels when  the person ingests too many carbs.  And if that person isn't active, then the body will store this as fat.  So, I would make sure she's eating lots of fresh vegetables (no potatoes) with a portion of protein (meat, chicken, fish), salad.  Have nuts and cheese on hand for snacks.  This is one way you and she can immediately get control of part of this.  Yes, her pancreas can "give up" or burn out and stop producing insulin needed.  But back to the first problem and that is to have a doctor evaluate her correctly.  Seems to me an endocrinologist would be the doctor to see.  Good luck and let us know what happens.

Diabetes is characterized as a condition where the body has too much "sugar" in the blood. If your daughters blood glucose levels are normal then she doesn't have diabetes, yet, she is however likely setting herself up for type 2 diabetes some where down the line. Very high levels of insulin can lead to a person's body becoming insulin resistant, and it is possible this is already happening, hence the excess insulin. It is also possible, depending on your daughter's diet she may be producing a lot more insulin to try to handle an over abundance of carbs and calories in general.



As far as the "Why" of it all goes it could be one of many things or a combination of several different things ranging from a medical condition(s) to psychiatric ones.

If it were my child I would start with the following specialists:

Gastrointestinal (GI)
Endocrinologist
Dietitian

If her primary care physician is not willing to help you get into these specialists, assuming you need a referral, then your first stop will have to be a new one. At 14 you may even want to consider skipping the pediatric doctors and find a General Practitioner (Family Doctor) or an Internal Medicine Doctor.

In the meantime I would take a good look at her diet and do something about that as well as getting her up and moving. If financially possible enroll her in a gym, take her to aerobics class, or Karate class or something where she can move. Even if her condition is 100% medical in nature and the exercise would do nothing for her weight it will still be good for her cardio systems.

As a final note about diet. Be sure to watch the kinds of Fats she is taking in. Make sure they are low in cholesterol and high in the "Good" fats. Something tells me your daughter may be prone to cholesterol issues later in life even though she isn't now.

You guys have been super and thank you for such quick responses. I love healingwell.
I am going to find an endocronologist to take her to that is on my insurance plan. It is just so shocking that her pediatrician acts like this weight issue is not a big deal...because IT IS! How can you look at a child that weighs over 250lbs and not want to help me do anything to help her? She said I am looking for a "miracle" and there is no miracle cure for obesity. I told her, "I know there is no miracle cure", but I still think that a specialist that deals with blood sugars and weight is who she needs to see. Again, I will get those 2 books....I am going to order them Friday. Thanks again, Tracy

I would strongly suggest getting the Endo. If you need your doc's referral... insist on it. They specialize in metabolism and the lovely endocrine system with all its numerous hormones A Dietician should also be recommended - if not by your doc then the Endo will for sure. The first tests he'll run will be on her thryroid (blood tests).

Sorry, but one A1C test or fasting test does not a diagnosis make (for or against). What was the number anyway? I'm curious what your (questionable) doctor has determined is "normal". That her insulin levels are "extremely high", might suggest that her pancreas is working overtime to keep up with demand. This alone should warrant further BGL testing (i.e. random, fasting, postprandial, during the night). If her pancreas is working overtime so much, diabetes will eventually be guaranteed.

I might ask what she so voraciously eats? High carb foods can create that kind of vicious circle, especially when malfunctioning metabolisms are involved. She's got to get the weight down and it starts with what goes in her mouth. If her thyroid is off, this will also be a contributing factor to the weight.

Good luck and keep us posted.