I went off the pill in 2003 and never got my period back. However, 6 months off BCP I somehow ovulated and got pg with my son.
I had relatively what I thought were normal periods before BCP BUT I had severe acne as a teenager. I now only have mild acne. I never had a weight problem. I'm 5'4'' and weighed about 125-130 as a teenager but got up to 140ish before I got pg with my son (I had a very bad diet and did not exercise).
I suspected PCOS before I got pg and had bloodwork that showed normal fasting insulin/glucose, upper normal testosterone (67 when the lab limit was 80) and an LH/FSH ratio of 2.5 (FSH 3.9, LH 8.8)
After my son was born, my weight dropped to 108 pounds over the course of the year. My periods were normal for about a year after his birth (though I had late ovulation and short Luteal phases). Right after my son turned 1, my periods started coming 40-50 days apart, then I had an 82 day cycle (all ovulatory with 10 day luteal phases) and that was the last natural cycle I had (that was in May/June 2006). Since then I've had tons of bloodwork and countless drs visits who all said maybe I had PCOS, maybe not, blah blah blah. An ultrasound exam showed multicyctic ovaries at one point. All of my bloodwork showed normal FSH and LH levels (with a normal LH/FSH ratio- 1:1). However, my total estrogen was a little on the low side (presumably- well in retrospect- from anovulation).
Anyways, I thought I had hypothalamic amenorrhea because of the weight loss so over the course of the past year I put on 15 lbs (I'm now 5'4'' 122). I have not yet regained my periods. I tried two cycles of clomid at 100 mg that did absolutely nothing (i might as well have been taking sugar pills). I have recently seen a reproductive endocrinologist who immediately made the diagnosis of PCOS and put me on metformin. He insisted it was not HA and he expected that I have good results with the met.
I'm confused. I am not overweight- in fact I was underweight before intentionally putting on weight). I also do not have documented IR (the dr said fasting insulin/glucose levels are not a good gauge). The RE drew my blood to test testosterone and DHEAS but I have not yet gotten the results. He said that the testosterone level of 67 (high normal) 4 years ago was a dead giveaway.
I'm so frustrated as I have been to so many drs for fertility treatment and nothing has worked. Do you ladies have experience with metformin working being thin and all? I'm so worried this is yet another misdiagnosis and treatment that won't work. I just want to have normal periods and be NORMAL! Does it sound like my diagnosis is correct based on your experience?
Many thanks. I am sorry for the long long long post.
Metformin and a low carb diet has worked for me twice and I am very close to the same size you are (5'4.5") normal weight about 115-120 but got down to 107 when on met and low carb diet to get pregnant. I got up to about 125 at my highest (also bad diet and wasn't exercising)
My doctor also said that those IR tests weren't accurate as there are too many variables that could make your levels change and he said he would treat me the same regardless of the results anyway. I can't say if your diagnosis is accurate, as this condition is so weird that everyone has different symptoms (go to the thin cysters ttc 2007 as we just started discussing what symptoms we all have) I do say stick with a reproductive endrocrinologist though as they will most likely have all the newest, most up to date information on PCOS. It took me about 3-4 months to get pregnant both times with the met and change in diet. I am now trying for number 3, but I'm not being as strict with my diet, so I don't know how much of a difference that may make. Hope that helps some. The thin cysters ttc 2007 thread also has other people doing other treatments that could also offer you some help. Check it out.
A diagnosis of PCOS sounds on target. I am normal weight as well 5'2" 115lbs. I have long cycles and mild acne. I also have some hair loss. The metformin has made that worse for me. I have been on the metformin for a couple of months now and have not gotten pregnant.
I have read that a woman can have PCOS without insulin resistance but that metformin could still help.
Newbie and Metformin 
