Anyone Know?? IR related to high testosterone?

JennieG · 11-18-2005, 07:10 PM

Can anyone explain the relationship between IR and high testosterone for me? I've read that the two may be directly related. So, my question is.... If I'm following the South Beach diet to help with IR, will that also help lower my testosterone levels???? What else can be done to lower testosterone? And how will elevated testosterone affect my chances of TTC?

I know some of you are experts when it comes to PCOS, so I thought I would start here trying to gather info! Any info would be great!!! Thanks!

Jennie

nicole47 · 11-18-2005, 07:34 PM

Hi. I really recommend the book: "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" A woman's guide to identifying & managing pcos, by author Dr. John Eden. It has a whole chapter talking about the relationship between IR and PCOS, and lots of good stuff in there on testosterone as well.

But basically the answer seems to be, they don't really know yet. It used to be thought that testosterone was causing the IR, but now it seems to be more popular in the newer literature that IR is causing the testosterone problems, but there's been no conclusive word on the subject. It may be that there's a feedback loop.

The doctor in the book mentioned above said that he finds that many of his patients straighten out their testosterone and other hormonal levels with good diet (IR/GI/low carb etc.) and exercise. Some even lose all of their PCOS symptoms!

JennieG · 11-18-2005, 08:36 PM

Nicole,
Thanks for replying to my post. I will have to get that book. Right now I'm Doing South Beach and I started an exercise program 3 weeks ago. I'm hoping that will help. Thanks again!