Newly Diagnosed...and dont know what to do or where to begin

Sunshine1998 · 03-04-2005, 10:59 PM

I dont know where to begin

...sometimes I think when you turn 30 you fall apart. This year, I found out that I have a low thyroid. After not having a regular cycle, further testing revealed that I also have PCOS. I wont have a following appointment with my Dr. until may, but she mailed a letter confirming PCOS today. Stated that my DHEA was 2221/ ng/dL Does anyone know what the normal range is?

Ive tried to read what I could, and will read more as I get some time. I just have so many questions.

Do I need an ultrasound? Will it help just to see how my ovaries look?

I do need to have a regular cycyle, so Im assuming I will be put on Birthcontrol? Is there any 1 type that stands out for treating PCOS?

I have noticed hair growth on my chin. Right now I have been plucking it? Would it be best to try and get my hormones under control first then try hair removal? Any medications out there to help slow/stop hair removal?

From what I understand, just becasue one may have a cycle it doesnt meant one is ovulating? My question is, though I dont want children right now, I do want them in the future. Is there any way I get get a normal ovulation again? Is there any medications out there that can help one achieve this?

Right now, I am overweight. I would say about 75lbs. So this is something I know I have to do on my part. Not going to be easy...but I know it might help as reguard with insulin resistance?

Sorry for so many questions. Its just that where I wont have an appointment until May with my Doc, I want to try and find out about some treatmetns/options from those that are experiencing this, so I can be better informed when I do see her.

Any help/comments will be greatly appreciated.

BabyRrota · 03-05-2005, 01:41 AM

Hi Sunshine,
Hang in there, at least you have a diagnosis, which is most than i can say.
Anyhow my doctor told me normal DHEA goes up to 1000.
Good Luck!

Shiphrah · 03-05-2005, 09:25 AM

I'm not one of the "experts" here...but I'll try to help out with some of your questions...

Ask your doctor about the sonogram. It's probably a good idea, but not necessarily vital.

I think Metformin/Glucophage is more commonly prescribed than birth control. The Metformin deals with your blood sugar/insulin, which is the root cause of the disorder. And as the Metformin brings your blood sugar/insulin back into alignment, all of your other hormones start to behave correctly as well....and you (hopefully) start ovulating and have less unwanted hair growth.

As far as your weight, it's a Catch-22. The blood sugar/insulin problems cause you to gain weight, and then being overweight exacerbates the problems with your blood sugar/insulin. Hopefully a combination of medication and diet and excercise will balance it all out. You need a diet that's low carb, high fiber. You don't necessarily have to follow a "plan" but I know people have had success with both Adkins and SouthBeach.

Your best plan of attack at the moment is to just continue to hang out here...read all the articles and all the posts and learn all you can...and enjoy all the support and advice and hope!

HTH! (Remember, you are NOT alone...you've got Cysters!)

Sunshine1998 · 03-05-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BabyRrota
Hi Sunshine,
Hang in there, at least you have a diagnosis, which is most than i can say.
Anyhow my doctor told me normal DHEA goes up to 1000.
Good Luck!

if that is the case, mine is all screwed up

Quote:

Originally posted by Shiphrah

I think Metformin/Glucophage is more commonly prescribed than birth control. The Metformin deals with your blood sugar/insulin, which is the root cause of the disorder. And as the Metformin brings your blood sugar/insulin back into alignment, all of your other hormones start to behave correctly as well....and you (hopefully) start ovulating and have less unwanted hair growth.

Ive been tested for diabetes. Fasting and after eating something. Results were normal. What scares me is the ability to be able to ovulate again. If I understand things, just because one has a cycle, it doesnt mean that one is ovulating does it?

And how would one know that they are ovulating on a regular basis after things get "aligned" again?

I think I read somewhere where PCOS can cause thyroid problems? If the PCOS is the root cause of it, then after it is undercontrol, would my thyroid be back to normal as well?

I would like to hear about other people's experiences from the time they got diagnosed, what they got on, and after it got undercontrol, was things able to be normal again? Ovulation and cycles?

Quote:

HTH! (Remember, you are NOT alone...you've got Cysters!)

thanks

...I never knew a site like this existed....didnt even know PCOS existed

CathyWood · 03-06-2005, 01:02 AM

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

Jashobeam · 03-06-2005, 04:47 PM

I think that just having your period doesn't necessarily mean you ovulate that month. There are ovulation kits, but I don't know if our nutty PCOS hormones mess those up, or if they work. You might want to post a question about ovulation and the kits on the TTC board. They know quite a bit about that, I would assume.