RE appt- not what I expected

[kohlby]

I had my full testing results RE appt yesterday. I got both good and bad news. The good is that my clotting disorder (factor V Lieden) did not likely cause my miscarriages. That means that I'll still be on one low-dose aspirin daily for life and need more monitoring when pg, but I won't have to do daily lovenox/heparin shots. FVL can cause miscarriages but due to my history- and a greater discovered reason - it's not likely for me.

That's the bad news part - another thing was discovered in testing that is much more likely to have caused my miscarriages. My GTT was fine, like they always are. I've been doing glucose tests regularly over the last 15 years due to mild diabetes symptoms. But they've never shown anything. The RE decided to measure insulin as well. My fasting insulin level was more than twice the limit. Add in my babies being 10lb 8oz and 11lb 4oz and it makes sense. My options are to go on a diabetic diet or take medication. (Can't remember the exact name but it's Glucolage/Metaformin or something like that). So, I'm picking diabetic diet of course. Either option would be for the rest of my life. The RE was really concerned about it since I already exercise regularly, eat healthy, and am not overweight. Elevated insulin levels is never good, but it's quite normal in overweight people.

I'm quite nervous about how I'll manage to do a diabetic diet when I do get pg - since I get so sick, hypermesis levels.

So, that's my update. She also gave me a progesterone script to go on as soon as I get pg - but that's the same thing my general OB had done.

[Macabe]

Oh my gosh, kohlby, that is quite unexpected. Are you going to follow up to see if the diet is helping?

I'm sorry you're dealing with all of this--finding out that you have not one, but two chronic health issues. And it's scary that nobody has picked up on the insulin thing all this time.

:hug: I hope after all of this, it helps you to get pregnant.

[Elizabethdaisy]

good luck!

[kohlby]

Are you going to follow up to see if the diet is helping?

I asked about that and she said it would be too difficult to monitor regularly. And since it's insulin, not glucose levels, I can't monitor it at home. I did ask for a retest of fasting insulin levels and had that done this morning. (Though my level was so bad that she really didn't think it was needed). She did say that she'll want me to do the 3 hour GTT in first trimester when I get pg and I'd get fasting insulin levels done then as well. I would presume that I'd have to get my fasting insulin levels done as well as a 2 hour GTT every year just to make sure it hadn't developed into full-blown diabetes. My grandfather, who also was never overweight, was diagnosed with type II diabetes in his 30's and died of Alzheimers, with no diabetes complications, in his 80's. So, at least I know his was able to be controlled by a strict diet alone.

[CPAMOM]

I had Gestational Diabetes with my first pg and I can already feel the symptoms with this one at 7 weeks....I was on the diabetic diet with DS and it wasn't so bad. It actually helped my morning sickness becuase there was more protein and less carbs. They have lots of good info on the web about the diabetic diet and pregnancy. My 1 hour glucose test was so high that I couldn't even do the 3 hour test. I am not overweight and have never been. I eat well and exercise...no history of diabetes in my family....I guess some people just have sugar issues. We can be support buddies if you would like!

[kohlby]

CPA- I actually went on the GD diet when pg with DS as a just in case at 29 weeks. But I get so sick when pg for the first 18 weeks, that I can't just eat more protien. It's a struggle to get down a gatorade at the start. When I had hypermesis, I couldn't handle eating protien at all - even on the meds. Maybe I'll have to search for a protien powder that has no taste. I haven't had a chance to check out the hypermesis web site yet. I'll have to do that to see if anyone has any ideas about controlling insulin when constantly throwing up for weeks on end!

Doing a diabetic diet during pg doesn't bother me nearly as much as having to do it for life. I could do it while pg with DS since I knew it had an ending at least!

[rachelandtyke]

Wow, glad you got some answers and a plan. Hope all goes well!

[OJosMom]

Whew, that's a lot to take in, isn't it? I'm glad there are things you can do, but sorry you even have to do it. Hopefully this will make all the difference in the world to you!