I have had PCOS for abt 9 yrs, i have had bloods taken before but it has been a while. I get my 'scripts from family planning, my family doctor decided they would know best, recently there has been a huge fuss because I have been on the worst type of pills for thrombosis (i'm on estelle) which i think is a 2ndG pill for at least 5 yrs.
Anyways they decided its been a while since I had bloods done so i got them done, I have read on the net about SHBG etc. I'm told that free levels are normal but bound levels are high.
I'm told not to worry but I cant help but wonder now all this fuss has occurred if i am really properly controlled, i have problems with acne especially around the time of my period. It was even suggested to try acne drugs, but its not that bad espeially considering that I've heard acne drgs are nasty
Hi Jeanette
I'm sorry I can't help with the b/w, but I can tell you about my experience on estelle. For me, it totally suppressed all of my pcos symptoms. I was only dx with pcos after I came off the pill, tried to conceive and miscarried. Naturally it was a huge shock. The thing is, I was told that being on estelle actually helped preserve my fertility by suppressing my symptoms. There is an elevated risk for clotting, but it is still lower than the risk for any pregnant woman. So imho, it is worth the (slightly elevated) risk to be symptom free. In fact, we have not been able to conceive again and I have contemplated going back on estelle because I can't stand the acne and excess hair which have been having a party since I stopped the pill. I would avoid acne drugs unless your acne is very bad as they are quite extreme. Have you been to an endocrinologist or ob/gyn to have your b/w checked? I'm wondering whether metformin might help - I know it helps some of the other cysters with acne, and a specialist may look at prescribing this for you.
GL, HTH
__________________ Me 35 DH 36
ttc #1 since 01/05, dx 02/06 m/c #1 10/05 m/c #2 10/06 11/06 Clomid #5, aspirin bfp Betas:[12dpo=30 P4=64][15dpo=211 P4=85][19dpo=1074 P4=79] Its a BOY!!
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thanks for your info , long ago when i was first diagnosed I was sent to the specialists at fertility plus (if your are from aucks then i'm sure you are aware this is at greenlane clinical centre), and when i went for my latest script the doctor hadnt read the history and asked some q's so naturally when I told her i had been to see them she looked at me in amazement and said why did I go when i wasnt trying to get pregnant, and i was like well i dont know!
Strangely my mother went to my family doctor and while she was there asked her about the results of the bloods and she was too busy to talk about it then but asked for me to visit because it had been a while since I have been, so i'm not sure what thats about
so i guess i'll just wait and see, thanks again for your help.
Are you going to try fertility treatment if you continue to be unable to concieve? best of luck for trying for a baby
Thank you - yes, I'm currently on my 3rd round of clomiphene (clomid). 2 or 3 more rounds then off to the ivf specialists for their advice (currently seeing an ob/gyn only).
Good luck to you too with the meds!
__________________ Me 35 DH 36
ttc #1 since 01/05, dx 02/06 m/c #1 10/05 m/c #2 10/06 11/06 Clomid #5, aspirin bfp Betas:[12dpo=30 P4=64][15dpo=211 P4=85][19dpo=1074 P4=79] Its a BOY!!
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Hi Jeanette - I'm on Estelle as well - I'm not trying to conceive, but I am trying to get my symptoms under control and I've been referred to fertility specialists as there are endocrinologists working in the Greenlane clinic and my prob is a hormone imbalance (and as it's not a gyno prob, this is who should be helping to treat my PCOS).
I used to have almost twice what's considered to be the upper 'normal' range of free testosterone, my bound testosterone seems to be on the way down but it's still quite high...
I go to Stella Milsom (endo) at Fertility Associates in Greenlane, and from what's been described to me by her and my GP, the odds of getting a blood clot from Estelle are incredibly slim - provided you keep active and eat healthily etc. etc.
My stats thus far....
Before Estelle:
Free testosterone: 130
Bound testosterone: 4.1
After 8 months or so of Estelle:
Free testosterone: 70 - 80
Bound testosterone: 3.0 - 3.5
What I've been advised is normal:
Free testosterone: 0 - 70
Bound testosterone: 0 - 2.5
__________________ Age: 23
DX: 2004
Medication: Estelle (BCP), Vit. B, Spiro
Symptoms: High cholesterol, Hirsutism, Cysts, Weight probs
Height: 167 cm
Exercise: 40-60 mins a day 4-6 days a week
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Oh wow that is such a coincidence, she was the specialist I saw ages ago when I was first diagnosed! What does she say about high bound levels? I'm thinking depending on what my GP says I might try get a referral back to them so I can get a solid opinion.
my levels were
Testosterone: 0.9 ref range (0.5-2.5)
SH Binding Globulin: 189 (18-114)
Calculated Free testosterone: 6 (0-50)
any1 knw much abt pcos bloods? 
, long ago when i was first diagnosed I was sent to the specialists at fertility plus (if your are from aucks then i'm sure you are aware this is at greenlane clinical centre), and when i went for my latest script the doctor hadnt read the history and asked some q's so naturally when I told her i had been to see them she looked at me in amazement and said why did I go when i wasnt trying to get pregnant, and i was like well i dont know!
