Insulin resistance could certainly be part of the problem. A nephrologist would look to see if the kidneys did show any signs of damage from diabetes or hypertension.
Dear Doctor,
Reading Cindy's post and her stated problems, it may be that Cindy is insulin resistant. This would explain the high triglycerides and the renal artery stenosis. This is known as Syndrome X(Not the same as the CAD Syndrome X.)and can cause Hypertension, Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Peripheral Neuropathy, high triglycerides, and Arteriosclerosis. In a woman, an apple shape as oppposed to a pear shape(a wider waist than hips)is the usual physical clue to this problem. And Cindy's age is usually when women start experiencing hormone changes that also increase insulin resistance. Could this explain Cindy's problems?
Sincerely,
Ginny
Renal artery stenosis is a cause of high blood pressure that can be treated (usually with angioplasty). It can result in very high blood pressure; after angioplasty, the blood pressure is much easier to control with medications. The diagnosis can be suggested by an MRI or ultrasound, but is usually confirmed with an arteriogram. However, the periorbital and pedal edema are not typically associated with this condition. They can occur if the kidney is spilling protein. I think your next step should be to see a nephrologist, a kidney doctor, to sort out exactly what is going on with your kidneys.