Low-Carb Diets and Cycling

[Triskeliongirl]

I forgot to add, don't exercise when you perform the test, as exercise improves glucose tolerance.

[Dianyla]

Thanks for the wealth of information, Triskelion. I will let you know how it goes!

[Triskeliongirl]

Good luck! And YES, work on increasing your protein. As you eliminate strachy carbs, just replace them with more lean protein and non-starchy veggies.

My impaired glucose tolerance also went undetected for years since the screen is usually the fasting glucose measurement, and since I ride my bike to work, I'd always stop off for the test on the way, altering the results (its funny, they always tell you to fast, but they don't tell you to not exercise). Also, if you are a 'pre-diabetic' often it shows up much better in a glucose tolerance challenge, than a fasting measuremnt. In my case, I am fine when I don't eat starchy carbs, so my fasting measurements were only ever slightly elevated.

There does seem to be links between hypothyroidism and type 1.5 diabetes. Both can be autoimmune. I had a series of tests taken for that last week, but it takes 3 weeks for results. One idea is they can be triggered by grain allergies. Lectins in the grains resemble antigens on our pancreas and thyroid, so if we make an antibody to the grain lectin, it can then attack our thyroids and pancreas, reducing the cell numbers and therefore the output of both thyroid hormones and insulin. That is what we are suspecting is the underlying route of my problem (I already know I have autimmune thyroid - Hashimoto's - now checking for autoimmune diabetes. That is why even when I do eat a tiny bit of sugary carbs on the bike, I avoid grain sources.

GOOD LUCK DINANYLA AND KEEP US POSTED!

[Triskeliongirl]

One last thought about low carbing on the bike. When I stopped drinking gatorade or sugary drinks, I started putting electrolytes in my water. I don't both for rides under an hour, but do on longer rides.

[amymisk]

Thanks for all your updates. It sounds like you have put a lot of effort into solving your issues! Way to go, I am sure your body thanks you!

[onimity]

Wow, interesting post; thanks for sharing this.
I've read a bit about type 1.5 and assume that your doctors are testing to confirm that you are indeed producing insulin and that you also have Islet cell antibodies? Are you taking any medication, either insulin or something to help you produce more?

Carbs are important fuel, especially if you are active, but you are right to be keeping your blood sugars down. My sister is type 1 and we ride together so I've seen firsthand the ups and downs of balancing insulin/carbs/exercise; she's learning to do a great job with it. We've both been reading a great book called The Diabetic Athlete by Sheri Colberg that is really wonderful. It covers both type 1 and type 2, but it primarily deals with type 1 with some discussion of how type 2 medications can cause some of the same insulin/carb balancing issues that type 1 athletes have to deal with. It does a great job of explaining nutrition for athletes and how you have to adapt to that with diabetes. You might want to check it out.

Also, there was a great article on type 1 athletes in the NYT yesterday.
I would love to see tt1 in the TdF!

Anne