Testimonial - Seemee
On hearing about Seemee's history of illnesses and her infertility, Prof Farid sent her for tests which confirmed that Seemee's infertility result from a previously undiagnosed pituitary tumour. She was also insulin resistant. Here, in her own words, is how Seemee's life has been changed following medication and a low GI diet.
"I met Professor Farid in March 2007 on a referral from my doctor for a hearing problem. On my first consultation Prof Farid was both personable and professional and he wanted to know my full medical background. He took great interest in my history of illnesses from ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Infertilty (which has been previously unexplained for 16 years), Costochondritis etc. Little did I know that he was particularly interested in the fact I was overweight and had been infertile.
"I went off for an MRI scan and blood tests and had a follow up appointment on 16th June 2007 with Prof Farid told me I had had a pituitary tumour which turned into a cyst and has since left water in the gland. This causes high prolactin levels, which in turn causes infertility. I was overwhelmed with emotion both from finding out the reasons for my infertility after all these years (now aged 43) and for realising that I had had a tumour with which my body (by the Grace of God) had dealt without my awareness.
"Prof Farid went on to tell me I was insulin resistant, which is also a result of the high levels of prolactin and the reason for my central obesity. I had been trying to lose weight for years on all sorts of diets.
"In July 2007, I started the medication of Cabergoline to reduce the high levels of prolactin and Metformin for dealing with the insulin resistance, and went for a blood test to check the levels and then had a review with Prof Farid in September 2007. He confirmed he was happy with the levels and referred me to a dietician, Lana, to help with my weight loss. She gave me excellent advice; talked about my insulin resistance and recommended a low GI diet, providing me with a shopping list and plenty of backgrpund information.
"Although sceptical at first, I started the diet in mid-October 2007. Within 3 months I went down to 68 kg. I have maintained this weight for the last 3 months even though I have introduced some high GI foods. I cried with happiness when I bought a size 14 pair of jeans, and was even more excited when I fit into a size 14 top. I hadn’t been a size 14 for 15 years!
"I still can’t believe the miracles in my life; one for having recovered from a pituitary tumour; two for having an explanation for my infertility and three for getting down to a size I never ever thought I could be.
"The low GI diet not only helped me lose weight but gave me the energy to sustain a highly stressful job, working long hours and helped me to deal with supporting my husband through a major operation he had to have this year.
"I am so grateful to both Professor Farid and Lana for the work they do and would recommend anyone with unexplained fertility to have it investigated. I may be too late for fertility now as the years are against me, but watch this space to see if I will be blessed with yet another miracle.
"Thank you Prof Farid and thank you Lana."
