Diagnosis?

salamanda · 10-30-2009, 08:47 PM

Hi everyone. I'm not sure where to post this, but as I am (if diagnosed) a thin cyster I guess this is as good a place as any. I have had wacky irregular periods from the beginning, but went on BCP at 15yo to regulate them. This past February I stopped taking the pill and things have gotten really kooky since then. I have had cycles that range from 42-74 days in length and acne. I went to my doctor and had blood work done as well as pelvic and vaginal ultrasounds. The blood work all came back within normal limits, but the ultrasound showed polycystic ovaries "consistent with PCOS". My last period was in mid-September, so I am not sure if the blood test results were skewed at all because of that.
My doctor gave me a referral to a local Infertility ctr and thought that they may try to induce a period and then re-check my hormone levels at a specific point in the cycle. She was reluctant to say I have PCOS due to the lab results, but believes I do. I guess I am wondering if any of you have had a similar experience and either been diagnosed after all or had PCOS ruled out? Thanks for any replies!

~Salamanda

Melly78 · 10-31-2009, 01:21 PM

I've had my hormone levels tested twice, both times came back normal. The u/s showed polycystic ovaries. My periods were normal before I went on bcp at age 18. The RE didn't think I had PCOS based on my lab results, but when he saw the u/s I guess it's just a process of elimination.

nurseashley86 · 10-31-2009, 02:24 PM

I had a glucose tolerance test that showed insulin resistance (my sugar dropped all day if I didn't eat every 3 hours or so), a vaginal ultrasound that was "consistent with PCOS", my progesterone and dhea-s were slightly elevated but not out of normal range, hirsutism, acne, and irregular periods and after the endocrinologist ruled out everything else I was diagnosed with PCOS. I have to add though that I was on YAZ when all these tests were done but the doc says that it will not skew the results (whatever).

salamanda · 11-01-2009, 12:42 AM

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm just a bit confused about it all right now. We'll see what the infertility doc thinks when I schedule that appointment. It's good to hear from other people who didn't necessarily fit the stereotypical mold of someone with PCOS.

July · 11-02-2009, 12:13 PM

Salamanda, your story sounds like mine.

I've had irregular periods from the start too. In my twenties more than in my teens I got acne. That and the irregular menses got me thinking I might have PCOS. When I received my diagnosis my bloodwork was fine except for an elevated LH:FSH ratio and some cysts. Later I went to another hospital where they told me I didn't have it because I didn't meet 2 of the 3 criteria necessary to be diagnosed. Although I do have (1) oligomenorrhea I did not have 'enough' cysts on my ovaries (but that's debatable, how many you need) (2) and (3) my androgens were within normal ranges and I did not show bad enough acne or hirsutism. I'm a thin cyster like you and I eat pretty healthy. I think if I didn't my symptoms could have been worse.

When I found this site I did some research and I found out that pcos works in a different way in thin cysters than it does in 'regular' cysters. Here's the link to an interesting article I found here:

Pcos Treatment - Non-obese Women

It says that with lean pcos you can have relative hyperandrogenism. That means that your androgens can be within normal ranges but because your estrogen is (or once was in your adult life - because of too much exercise, anorexia etc) low it leads to a androgen:estrogen ratio comparable to what you see in typical pcos, even though bloodwork suggests everything is normal. Could you post your lab results? I could have a look at it if you want, and you may want to read this article too:

Guide to understanding Lab Results for PCOS...what if they're "normal'?

It states that what is considered normal may not be desirable. If you're on the high end of normal with your testosterone levels, you could still have unwanted effects (like acne)

I hope this helps! And if you got any questions, feel free to ask!