How do you know if PCOS is related to insulin resistance?

[Somatronic]

Hi All,

Is there a way of knowing if my PCOS is related to insulin resistance?

I am trying to conceive and wondering if a low carb diet will help with fertility, but how do I know if insulin is what's causing the PCOS?

Are there particular symptoms related to it? For me acne is my main symptom as well as some minor issues with facial hair. Weight doesn't seem to be affected much by it.

I'm on metformin and Clomid.

Any advice is appreciated. I can't get bloods etc done at the moment due to Covid restrictions though I have asked for them as soon as the doctor is in a position to take me.

I have insulin resistance because of pcos. Typical symptom is hyperpigmentation of skin, specially on face. My eyes always look as if I have put a darker shade of eyeshadow on them.
Also my neck at the backside has hyperpigmentation. I get cuts or rashes on the area if I eat too much sweet treats.
Once I had lumps under my arms but that happened only once.
I also get skin tags. I used to get a lot when things were out of control, now most have gone. I don't get new ones since I things under control.

I think most / all PCOS is driven by insulin resistance

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277302/

Low carb / ketogenic diet is therapeutic for insulin resistance

You can get fairly decently priced continuous glucose monitors which will really let you know if your insulin is still working!

I have lots of skin tags and darker skin around neck, armpits and groin which are common signs of insulin resistance.

The best way to know though is to ask for a blood test at the Drs.

The metformin will help with insulin resistance. Do you think it's made a difference?

Low carb may help as it pushes you towards more healthy eating (no sugar, simple carbs etc). I'd try it in your shoes.

Thanks for the responses.

@greyinganddecaying Maybe it curbs my appetite slightly? Nothing that I've really noticed. All my other symptoms have gotten worse since I came off Dianette and went on metformin. I had to come off Dianette because it was giving me outrageously severe migraines, and I had to come off birth control anyway, but I feel like I'm eating smarties with the metformin really.

I was on metformin for pcos some years ago it didn't help me to regulate my periods but after 4 months taking it alone I got pregnant so It definitely helped me ovulate and that's without having a period for 3 months only problem is it can cause stomach issues

@Somatronic I have been asking the same question too after recently being diagnosed! My GP did a diabetes test and results came back fine. I'm not sure if that was just to confirm I don't have diabetes or they also checked my insulin levels too?

@hamstersarse I'm interested in this! How does these work? Do you have a link for one that would be good to use?

Can you speak to your doctor about increasing your metformin dose? I had insulin resistance and presumed PCOS although I didn’t have a lot of overt symptoms. I wasn’t overweight but on metformin I lost about 10% of my body weight and that was enough to get my cycles to shorten and start ovulating regularly. I found the metformin made me feel incredibly sick if I ate too many carbs or drank alcohol so it really helped me to lose weight. I had GD with both my pregnancies but I have not had insulin resistance since having kids and they are teenagers now.