Question from Brockport, New York, USA:

I am a 28 year old female, who went to my doctor in May complaining of being tired and not being able to lose weight. I was also suffering from menstrual irregularities. My doctor took blood via a finger prick test to determine my blood sugar level. It was 210 mg/dl [11.7 mmol/L]. She told me I had diabetes and put me on Glucophage, 500mg once a day with my evening meal. She told me to monitor my sugar levels using a hand held machine. That night, I took my medicine, then checked my blood sugar two hours later and it was 185 mg/dl [10.3 mmol/L]. Within three days, my fasting sugar levels were under 110 mg/dl [6.1 mmol/L]. Since May, I have lost 52 pounds and my sugars run between 80-87 mg/dl [4.4-4.8 mmol/L] in the morning, and mid 90s [about 5.3 mmol/L] after meals. I am exercising and following a low carbohydrate diet.

After I was told I had diabetes, my gynecologist, a month in a half later, told me I had PCOS. She said that could have contributed to my high sugar levels, giving me insulin resistance. Is insulin resistance the same as diabetes? I had blood work done two months after I was diagnosed with diabetes to confirm PCOS. My gynecologist tested my A1c level and she said it was 5.2. Can I be considered a diabetic without having any test done besides an in office finger prick? Or, is it more likely I have insulin resistance? I know losing weight has made my energy soar and my periods normal. I am 30 pounds away from having a BMI under 25. My sugar levels are all normal now no matter what time of day I check them. My doctor wants me to stay on the Glucophage until I reach my goal weight. Should I continue to take it? Do I have diabetes or insulin resistance? If I had insulin resistance could it have been reversed by diet, exercise, and weight loss?