Question from Yukon, Oklahoma, USA:

I was diagnosed with PCOS approximately six months ago. My blood sugars had been around 120 mg/dl [6.7 mmol/L] at previous doctors’ appointments and when I tested with a family member’s glucose monitor. My doctor advised me to lose weight and follow a low carbohydrate diet.

I did research on the Internet and also began taking supplements that are supposed to help PCOS, lower insulin resistance, protect your heart, and lower cholesterol, since I also have high cholesterol and high triglycerides. For three months, I have been exercising, walking and weights, on average four days a week for approximately one hour and have been eating about 1600 calories a day, mostly lean meats, nuts, vegetables and about two servings of fruit one yogurt and one or two bread, pasta or rice dishes.

I have been taking the following supplements: multivitamin, vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid 900 mg, conjugated linoleic acid 3000 mg, fish oil. flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, CoQ10, grape seed extract, red rice yeast and policosanol combination, chromium (three times a day), vitamin E, Vitex, saw palmetto, glucosamine HCI (I have what I think is the beginning of arthritis), folic acid, green tea extract, and Relora. I have lost probably 20 pounds and am feeling much better. I took my blood sugar one day, expecting it to be better, and it was 137 mg/dl [7.7 mmol/L]. I had read that glucosamine may increase blood sugar, so, I stopped it for 10 days and my blood sugar was still 130 mg/dl [7.2 mmol/L]. How could this happen with the diet and exercise plan I’m on? Is there something I’m doing wrong? Could one of the other supplements be causing this?