angelaslp

Hi! I have been reading your posts for awhile and have already learned a lot!

I am currently in the process of being tested for PCOS. When I first learned of it it made so much sense for me but now I am starting to wonder.

Some background: I am now 35 and when I was in college I began having irregular periods. But unlike most of you it was coming too often - every 2 1/2 weeks approximately accompanied with extreme pain (have read in one book recently that this can happen with PCOS although it is not the norm). I went to the gyn andgot put on BCPs and of course it helped tremendously.

Three years ago when I was pregnant with 1st and only child I developed severe preeclampsia/HELLP syndrome (again something I have read is associated with PCOS).

I have always had a mustache that I have to get rid of but I have assumed that it was because I have some italian genes. L also since puberty have sruggled with weight issues - having a tendency to easily get pudgy but not obese. Until recently I could lose weight by exercising and watching what I eat (although there is a major sweet craving) and I also build muscle very easily. Since about the third grade I have also, to this day, have had an ongoing battle with acne. Again I wouldn't call it more of a moderate rather than severe problem.

Over the past two years, since the birth of my daughter there have been some changes: I have started growing hair on my chin in addition to my upper lip. I have gained about ten pounds, much of it in a new place - my stomach. I have tried but I cannot get rid of it no matter how much I exercise or eat. Not even an ounce. I have at this point kinof given up on losing the weight. I am still on BCP (with the only break being when I was pregnant). For the past year when I have my period the flow (sorry about the TMI) sometimes is different - it will sometimes stop and start until I am finished. I have no idea how often I would get my period now if I were to go off BCP. I have been scared to do that all these years because of the past.

A couple of weeks ago when I went in for my annual GYN exam I mentioned the chin hair and the doctor noted the weight gain (thanks!!!) and suggested I get tested for PCOS. Like I said when I started reading about it it started bringing a lot of random problems I have had together (I have a few other associated symtoms but I won't go into it - this is becoming a novel!!!)

Well I have had my blood drawn twice now and so far these are the results: Lipd level fine. Glucose fine. Prolactin fine. She said my insulin level was in the normal-to-borderline (7) range so she recommended I get the two hour insulin test. Just got a message on Friday that this test was within normal limits but I don;t know the numbers yet. They haven't tested my testosterone yet because "the levels can naturally vary during your cycle".

So now I am feeling confused. How significant is the insulin level to the diagnosis? Could this be maybe something else or just my Italian and middle age genes catching up with me? I really want to figure all this out! Help!

Thanks for reading. I tried to make it as short as possible but I guess it just wasn't going to happen!!!!!!!

Angie

CathyWood

Hi Angie Welcome to SC. I am glad you found us. Feel free to contact me if you wish.

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Cathy 36
Lee 40
Married Feb 12, 1994
HSG Nov 2004
Brandon Aug 8, 2005

DancesWithTubas

Howdy Angie! Don't worry about TMI...as you hang out here more, you'll realize that most of us have no problems sharing details on this site that we would be embarassed to tell our doctors! It's a very supportive environment here, so no worries.

Anyways, about your test results....how "fine" is fine? Is it at the middle of the normal levels, or is it at the high end of normal? PCOS often doesn't show up with hormone levels busting out into high levels, it's more a trend towards the high end of normal. (Some women have their levels in the above-normal range, but some don't). Also, different labs have different standards for "normal". Request a copy of your results (which should state your lab's "normal" ranges). Then you can compare your levels to what other lab's ranges are (there are some articles on this website that can give you some idea of normal ranges). But again, just because you aren't busting out of normal doesn't mean you're out of the woods. Don't let your doc dismiss you because of that.

Second, about the testosterone...WHAT? ALL hormones naturally vary during your cycle, that doesn't mean you don't test for them! Really the only hormone that they don't test for is estrogen, which varies so much that it can change within time of day and is hard to get an accurate testing. But even though your testosterone levels might vary, it's a pretty big part of the PCOS diagnosis. What surprises me is that they tested your prolactin and not your testosterone. I would press your doctor further to get it tested. I would also research how familiar he is with PCOS. The fact that he's reluctant to test for testosterone is sending up a red flag for me. Other cysters, correct me if I'm wrong, but that seems a little...negligent? Weird? I would just verify that he's successfully treated a good number of PCOS patients before and knows what he's doing.

As for the insulin levels, the tests are usually looking for insulin resistance or diabetes. Many with PCOS have insulin resistance (IR). It is not a requirement for PCOS, however, and some with PCOS are not IR. Whether or not you're IR will affect your treatment, but not your diagnosis.

I'm Italian too, and for a long time I thought the extra hair and tummy was just genes. What I realized was that all of the other women in my family have a little light fuzz on their upper lips, but DON'T have to shave it (and they don't have a carpet on their stomachs, either!) Some of this may be due to heritage and age, but don't assume that's what this is until you get thoroughly checked.

Okay, my novel is done now, too! Hope that helped!

-Dances

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