I put up a post the other day about what tests I should be having, and if its routine. The answers consisted of having blood tests for different hormones, having insulin resistance checked. Oh and to find a new doctor, but as you know we can't do that here. Anyway I've seen my GP and he has agreed to do the bloodwork, but he said that it is not routine. And that there is not a test for insulin resistance.
What has been your experience with your GP? And have you had your insulin resistance checked?
Bex, what is routine or isn't seems to vary in the U.K. from area to area and from doctor to doctor. I seem to have to continually push mine for lab tests and help. It SHOULD be routine for blood tests to be done if there is the chance you are suffering from this problem! Most of what I know now has come from other soulcysters here and trawling the net. Testing for insulin resistance requires blood glucose tolerance tests to assess your insulin response to glucose levels, not a test many doctors in my area are prepared to order!
In the IR Diet book, there is a questionnaire to assess whether you have IR and a lot of doctors would diagnose simply on your physical evidence anyway. I am about halfway through the book now and it sounds like a plan that really could bo "doable" long term.
Basically the book says if you have three or more yesses to the questions, you are likely to have IR and the more yesses, the more likely. You need to persevere with your doctor, all too often PCOS is dismissed by doctors as trivial, but the long term consequences can be devastating. I'm not sure if we're supposed to quote sections of the book here, but I'm sure there are reports on IR on the forums somewhere. Anyway, if you want me to send you the questionnaire by email, just let me know.
Tried to post the questions here several times, but my post just keeps getting blanked. Here goes again! High b.p., weight around middle, difficulty losing weight, high cholesterol and tryglycerides, skin tags, afternoon fatigues, jittery, headaches, carb cravings, history of blood clots, Bmi over30, family history of diabetes, overweight heart disease, feeling of over 30 lbs. excess weight, diabetes, Pcos, irregular or missed periods. That's most of the symptoms, if I remember rightly. Haven't got my book with me right now. Hope this helps.
Yep the glucose intolerance test should help with the IR thing. I don't know why you can't change your doctor, it is your own right and choice to do so. No matter where in the UK you are living.
A hormone profile test is routine for people under investigation for PCOS. They used to also offer a scan to see if there were any cysts on the ovaries but that is no longer done anymore as you can have PCOS without the cysts anyway.
When I got my original blood work done, he checked my thyroid, glucose and hormones. Were another couple of things in there too but no idea what they are.
Best of luck
__________________ 101.5lbs lost since 10th Nov. 2003
38cm less of my waist. (Next weigh-in 26th May.)
231.5/139.5/140 *reached 9/12/04
139.5/130/133 *reached 3/3/05
Me: 36 DH: 39 - 2 teenage boys
Dx: October '03
Metformin 1500mg. Enalapril 80mg (BP) - Simvastatin 40mg (cholesterol) - all part of treatment for kidney disease.
i had a glucose test and this was normal never had an ir test but have loads of other blood test which doctors say they are routine when i ask i have also had blood test to see if my large cysts were abnormal thankfully they were not
Still confused guys. I have managed to get the blood work done. I have got the results today. Whats annoyed me today is that when I went to get my copy of them (which I had asked the dr during an appointment) I was questioned by the receptionist on why I wanted them. Then to top it off I had to pay 50p before they would give it me. What is that about? What do they think I'm going to do with it.
Anyway guys got to get ready for work so chat to you all soon.
lol Bex, I think they have been so used to us being a nation of 'nodders' (nod your head and agree with every word they say) that now most people are questioning their own health it's taking them by surprise.
I don't think paying 50p is that bad mind you, it's the NHS afterall and every 50p counts
__________________ 101.5lbs lost since 10th Nov. 2003
38cm less of my waist. (Next weigh-in 26th May.)
231.5/139.5/140 *reached 9/12/04
139.5/130/133 *reached 3/3/05
Me: 36 DH: 39 - 2 teenage boys
Dx: October '03
Metformin 1500mg. Enalapril 80mg (BP) - Simvastatin 40mg (cholesterol) - all part of treatment for kidney disease.
It just makes me laugh. Its like we are not supposed to know anything other than what they want us to know. They seem to think that we have no right to the information. It doesn't seem to matter that we have a right to know.
Confused about a few things - help please! 
