Do I Have It or Don't I?!*

London · 08-29-2006, 11:11 PM

I apologize in advance for the length of this post. I was originally dx with PCOS in December 2003. Since then I have taken Clomid (x 7) and Femara/Letrozole (x 3), Metformin, done acupuncture & Chinese medicine, and did an IUI in March. An HSG was normal, as was a transvaginal ultrasound (no cysts). A laparoscopy in January found cervical stenosis but in April 2006 the blockage no longer present. Last month I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. After a month on Synthroid (75 mcg) I feel amazing! I do have ringing in my ears but my moods are completely turned around. My TSH levels were between 3 and 4, now after a month of Synthroid I'm down to .459 (pretty much perfect according to the doctor who wanted my TSH around a 1 to try and conceive).

I looked up the symptoms of PCOS. For the last year, I've had two doctors (one is a specialist) say that the PCOS is borderline or not there. So, did I even have it in the first place and it was hypothyroidism in disguise?

· Multiple ovarian cysts – Never had (which I understand are not required for diagnosis)
· Irregular menses – Can also be caused by hypoT; started when I went off the pill in September 2002. Last two cycles have been 62 and 76 days; my last cycle I took Prometrium (progesterone) to end my cycle.
· Infertility – Yes, but also can be caused by hypoT
· Acne – Yes, but also can be caused by hypoT
· Obesity/inability to lose weight – I have lost 15 lbs. since 2003 without really doing much. Would like to lose another 5-10 lbs. Again, also can be caused by hypoT.
· Excessive body or facial hair (hirsutism) – Never had a problem
· Insulin resistance and possibly diabetes – Never had a problem
· Thinning of scalp hair – Never had a problem
· Velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds (acanthosis nigricans) – Nope
· High blood pressure – Never had a problem
· Polycystic ovaries that are 2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries – Never
· Multiple hormone imbalances, commonly including:
o Androgens (testosterone) – Levels appear to be normal
o Cortisol – Never checked per labs that have been run since 2003
o Estrogens – Never checked per labs that have been run since 2003
o FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) – Levels appear to be normal
o Insulin – Does not appear to be an issue; have read that between 10-13 indicates some resistance; my level is a 5.7
o LH (luteinizing hormone) – Levels appear to be normal
o Progesterone – Levels appear to be normal; also can be caused by hypoT
o Prolactin – I believe it is borderline
o DHEA – Slightly elevated
o Thyroid hormones – Normal since taking Synthroid

The only things that standout that signal it could be PCOS is my DHEA and Prolactin levels. In my opinion, not enough to be diagnosed with it.

Can anyone help me shed some light on this? If I do have it, fine, but if I don't it will be one less thing to deal with.

MommyJenny74 · 08-30-2006, 07:17 AM

London,
I'm sorry you're having trouble w/ your diagnosis. I know PCOS and hypothyroid have similar symptoms, I guess that's just one more frustrating thing about being diagnosed.

Just wanted to wish you luck. Sorry I'm no help!

Hugs
Jenny

cc9455 · 08-30-2006, 12:00 PM

What tipped my Dr to run other tests was a TSH test I had done that was a 3.99. (Unfortunately this was the only test I could get my old doctor to run, and that was by begging and pleading! Reason for everything for that Dr was "because you are fat, lose weight" and they thought I was lying about what I was eating!!!) Now with all the other labs, PCOS is indicated.

At first before I had the other labs I was reading about HypoT and yes many of the symptoms are similar.

I also read in all of my book-worminess that hormones are all interconnected. If one is off, the others are most likely all going to be off to some degree because they all work together. The longer you go being off balance the more things get out of whack.

So, beside PCOS my adrenals are burned out and my TSH is higher than it should be but hopefully things will balance out soon.

Claire

MommyJenny74 · 08-30-2006, 08:12 PM

Claire
I got the same thing from many doctors, "Well if you would just lose weight you wouldn't be having these problems". That was until I found my wonderful doctor that I have now, he never said that once and he found my PCOS on the first visit. Sometimes I want to go back to those other doctors and throw my chart at them, sort of "I told you something was wrong with me!"

Hugs girls
Jenny

London · 08-30-2006, 08:27 PM

Claire -- Isn't it SAD how we have to almost diagnose and pinpoint problems ourselves? I tell every woman I come into contact with who is TTC to not take their doctor's word as the gospel. Fortunately, I found a doctor who agreed with the new levels (the old limit was a TSH of 5, the new is 3). I knew I wasn't depressed - 90% of my grad level classes were in counseling so I definitely knew what was depression! Good luck to you, I hope things get normalized ASAP

Jenny -- I'm so happy you have a good doctor! My OBGYN I've had, I finally went to him and said, look, it's got to be hypoT. At the time we had been denied insurance (individual) when DH left his job - no one would touch me b/c of the PCOS. Finally, one did and just won't cover anything PCOS related. Which is fine b/c I don't think that's what it is. Got dx with hypoT, got the "drugs" and I feel so much different, in just a few weeks time. It was insane how quickly I felt better. Still anxious for the libido to improve though

Thanks for the reply, girls! I hope to go back to my OBGYN soon and either rule out PCOS or get a definitive answer. Again, based on everything I said in my original post, I don't think I have it. Guess I need a full blood work done again by my OBGYN to see how things look now that I've been treating the hypoT.

I should have been a doctor...but I can't stand the blood and guts stuff!

KatCarney · 08-30-2006, 09:27 PM

Be sure to see the PCOS TESTS info at the bottom of this page:
http://www.soulcysters.com/do_have_pcos.html