Metformin lower DHEA?

Pam770 · 11-11-2005, 07:15 PM

Does anyone know specifically if Metformin will/could lower DHEA? My new doctor seems to think that I may not have PCOS because this level is double what it should be but I did have an MRI and my adrenals look normal so right now he's tryin something else but only short term to see if he can suppress my adrenal glands and then if that works we'll go from there but I can't stay on this medication so I'm kind of hoping he'll prescribe Met but don't know if it could work for this. I do know it can lower androgen levels and I know this is an androgen but just wondered if anybody actually know if their DHEA level was reduced after starting Met.

Thanks for any insight you can give me.

nobimbo · 11-12-2005, 01:11 PM

Yes, Met can lower DHEAS. Here is a quote from fertilityplus:

An elevated DHEAS level may be improved through use of dexamethasone, prednisone, or insulin-sensiting medications.

http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html

Were the results of your other hormone tests in normal range? Have you had a fasting insulin test? You might want to read the article called "Making Sense of Your Lab Tests" at this link (scroll down to the second post), which contains info about androgen tests:

Guide to understanding Lab Results for PCOS...

Also, here is info about diagnosis of androgen disorders:

http://www.infertilityphysician.com/androgen/eval.html

Linda

Pam770 · 11-12-2005, 03:58 PM

Thank you so much for your reply. I am finding that my doctors don't want to share the information with me about what my lab results actually are. I think it may also get confusing because I had a hysterectomy in May with my ovaries removed prior to being diagnosed with PCOS so I don't know if there is a chart for normal levels in surgical menopause. I know that my DHEA-S level has been elevated for a long time but my GYN thought that the hysterectomy could resolve it (after having a normal MRI on my adrenal glands) but it didn't. I also had very high testosterone levels prior to the hysterectomy but some of that must have been from my ovaries because now even without them it is in the normal range - but is that normal for menopause? I'm not sure they really know. She had sent me to an Endo with a diagnosis of PCOS but he thinks I may just have an adrenal gland issue and has but me on a test of dexamethasone for 1 week to see if that will lower the level and then he will see me in two months to decide what to do from there. He tells me I can't stay on Dex either and now I've read so many places that people do so I don't know what that's about either. I am so very frustrated. I have been living this nightmare for the last 12 years at least (since my youngest was born I'd say) and I just want my life back. I thought the hysterectomy was going to be the answer and truly I still feel like crap. Although this week on the Dex. I acutally feel pretty good (my aching body has resolved and I'm sleeping so much better) but I only have a few days left of that. I can't believe he doesn't want to see me for 2 months after this! I have read a lot about side effects of Met but I have also read so many good things about how people feel on it that I would really like to try it. Although they have told me that my fasting insulin level is okay I believe I have symptoms of IR. They also told me that my fasting glucose was okay when I was pregneant but it turned out I had gestational diabetes when they did the GTC. I think I'll still try to get him to prescribe Met when I do go back but in the meantime I'm going to try to find a doctor in the Milton, Ont. area that is more up on PCOS (I put a message about this on the Canadian board). Although these doctor's seem to know of PCOS they kind of get a blank look on their faces when we are discussing it like they don't really know too much. I have now and have had for year "all" of the symptoms of PCOS but because my fasting insulin is okay and I'm not TTC they don't seem to think it's very relevant. Anyway thanks to anyone who read this far and again nobimbo thanks for your info. At least I feel like someone's listening.

nobimbo · 11-13-2005, 01:35 AM

Sweetie, it's so important for you to get a copy of your actual lab work. All you have to do is ask for them to fax or mail it to you. It's yours and they can't deny you that. At least you will then be able to do your own research (there is tons of info available online, or you can post them here or pm me) and gain some control over the situation. There are still way too many docs who are under informed about PCOS, and there is very little known about post-menopausal women with PCOS. One thing there is agreement upon, though, is that PCOS isn't cured by a hysterectomy or menopause.

Has the possibility of Cushing's been discussed with you? That is one possible reason for elevated DHEA/androgens, especially when it occurs after the ovaries have been removed.

Btw, your body is still going through a lot of hormonal changes since you had your surgery fairly recently. Several months from now you will see a lot more changes taking place in your lab work, and you should have copies of all your lab reports so you can compare them and see the changes taking place. Be sure to get a thorough thyroid work-up, too, since menopause puts you at a greater risk of thyroid problems (and having PCOS is already putting you at an increased risk for that, too). Not just a TSH and total T4, but you also need a free T4 and a free T3.

Also, have you visited hystersysters.com? If not, be sure to visit that website. Here's the link:

http://hystersisters.com/

Hang in there,
Linda