Article: Hyperinsulinemia is an excessive level of insulin. It is sometimes confused with diabetes or hypoglycemia, but it is a different condition. For women with PCOS, it results from your body having a tendency to resist the effects of insulin. Visit your doctor if you experience some of the following symptoms:  Weight gain Sugar cravings Feeling hungry frequently or intensely Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated Anxiety or panic Fatigue As a symptom of PCOS, hyperinsulinemia is connected to the increased production of androgens. This can cause oily skin, acne, facial and body hair. In addition, you may gain weight around your abdomen. If your doctor suspects you have hyperinsulinemia, she will likely order a glucose tolerance test (GTT). Treatment for hyperinsulinemia includes a diet and exercise plan and may also include a drug called Metformin, which can reduce your insulin levels. Whether your doctor prescribes Metformin or not, ask for a referral to a dietician. A good nutrition plan is a crucial part of treatment.  Check fasting insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1c and c-peptide levels. Although there is no definitive test to diagnose insulin resistance, these levels are often higher than normal in PCOS patients with insulin resistance. If you are struggling to get pregnant and you have irregular periods, you may have polycystic ovary syndrome. In fact, PCOS is the most common cause of infertility. Irregular or absent ovulation makes it difficult or impossible to conceive. Higher hormone levels sometimes increase the risk of miscarriage in women with PCOS who do manage to get pregnant. See your doctor if you cannot get pregnant. Obesity is always a health concern, but it may also be a sign of PCOS. Because of increased levels of insulin, women with PCOS often accumulate fat around the waist and wind up with a pear-shaped appearance, and they typically have a difficult time losing weight. About 38% of women with PCOS are obese. An obese adult typically has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher. If you have PCOS, you may develop velvety, light brown or black patches of skin on your neck, armpits, thighs, and breasts (these are called acanthosis nigricans). You may also develop skin tags. These are small flaps of skin, which often occur in the armpits or on the neck. Some women with PCOS experience pain or discomfort in the pelvis, abdomen or lower back. Pain may be dull or stabbing, and it may range in intensity from mild to severe. The pain or discomfort may be similar to the pain you feel at the beginning of a menstrual period. Some women with PCOS have sleep apnea, a condition in which you snore and stop breathing periodically while asleep. This can result either from increased estrogen and testosterone levels or from obesity, both of which are associated with PCOS. Women with PCOS seem to be quite susceptible to anxiety and depression. These symptoms may have physical causes, such as hormonal imbalances. They may be a reaction to the other symptoms, especially infertility. PCOS can be a hereditary condition. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you may also develop it. Consider your family’s medical history to determine if you are predisposed to having PCOS.  It is common for women with PCOS to have family members who have diabetes. It is common for women with PCOS to have been unusually small or unusually large babies at birth.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Watch for hyperinsulinemia. Pay attention to infertility. Take obesity seriously. Look for skin changes. Track pelvic and abdomen pain. Monitor the quality of your sleep. Be aware of any psychological symptoms. Examine your family history.