I just read the sticky "PCOS and Insulin Resistance (IR)," which brought up an interesting question I've thought a lot about lately:
Quote:
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For instance, if cultured cells from the women with PCOS are not insulin resistant at first, but become insulin resistant after being exposed to high levels of androgens or insulin in the petri dishes, that might indicate that excess androgens or insulin in a woman's body - which both occur in PCOS - might be causes of insulin resistance.
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I have PCOS with high androgens and insulin resistance. And yet, I have always been thin, I have good cholesterol, low blood pressure and low triglycerides. I started taking 2000mg Fortamet daily a few years ago, which initially lowered my testosterone and glucose levels and worked beautifully at regulating my periods, clearing up my cystic acne and even helping me lose a few pounds.
Then, it suddenly seemed like it stopped working--I got acne again, gained some weight mostly around the midsection, started skipping periods, etc. Some bloodwork revealed that my testosterone level was elevated again. I am now on my second month of bcp to help lower testosterone and I can just tell by the way I feel that the Fortamet is working again.
For this reason, I think my high androgen levels contributed to my insulin resistance, not the other way around. What are your opinions on this matter?
Which came first--high androgens or IR? 
