High blood sugar leads to Bipolar?

Q: I have ALL of the symptoms of BiPolar II disorder and had a question-I know that I read somewhere onthe web that people who are diabetic, or who have higher than normal blood sugar levels are prone to BP II- just CAN'T find the page. Do You happen to know where I can obtain that information as I believe it to be the CAUSE of my BPII as well as the high blood pressure that I was diagnosed with andwould like to show the information to my DR. ASAP. Thanks a lot, Yvonne

Dear Yvonne --
Not sure what you saw, as I've not seen that direct connection myself.  However, indirectly I think you could be absolutely right.  There is a condition called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in which high blood sugars probably signal high insulin levels, and the insulin may create some changes in women's ovaries that lead to symptoms that look like Bipolar II.  How often this happens is unclear.  I have seen one woman with such symptoms get a lot better when she tried Glucophage, which sensitizes her to her own insulin -- even though she doesn't have diabetes. 

Read more about PCOS starting with my other website: www.hormonesandmood.com.  Psychiatry is only just beginning to learn about this, unfortunately, so there's not much to say other than here's what it is and we think this might be relevant.

Dr. Phelps


Published January, 2001