Insulin Resistance in PCOS


 

What Is Insulin Resistance? 

Insulin resistance is a condition where the cells of your body no longer respond to the hormone, insulin, as normal. Produced by your pancreas (a gland that sits behind your stomach), insulin helps to regulate your blood sugar levels.

Its primary job is to move the sugar from your bloodstream into the cells of your body so they can use it for energy. A straightforward function, and when all is running well - perfecto!

When blood sugar levels rise, like after a meal high in carbohydrates, your pancreas will release insulin into the bloodstream. This insulin will attach itself to the glucose (blood sugar) and shuttle it into the cells of your body that require energy to function.

As a result, bringing your blood sugar levels back down to normal. When this happens, your pancreas stops its release of insulin as it is no longer required.

Let’s paint a picture and illustrate this. Think of insulin as the key to the cells of your body. Without insulin, your blood sugar (glucose) cannot get into the cells that need it; they can’t open the doors by themselves. This leads to high blood sugar levels (hyperinsulinemia) and, over-time, can lead to prediabetes and type II diabetes.

In someone with insulin resistance, the cells are no longer receptive to insulin. It’s as if the lock on the door is rusted and now the key (insulin) no longer works properly. This causes a build up of blood sugar levels and high insulin levels, leading to many of the PCOS symptoms that are experienced.

Insulin Resistance Symptoms In PCOS 📝

However, even before a blood test diagnosis there are signs and symptoms that can often indicate insulin resistance. The most common symptoms are:

  • High testosterone (androgen) levels, produced by the ovaries
  • Weight gain and/or difficulty losing weight
  • Increased hunger and cravings
  • Hair growth and/or loss
  • Irregular periods and infertility
  • Poor energy levels; fatigue.

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