Opinions needed...not sure where to go next?

steviedork · 07-24-2008, 03:35 PM

So I am sort of at my wit's end...

My PCP diagnosed me about a year and a half ago with PCOS, mostly just from external symptoms. I was not put on any medication or anything...I did have labwork done, and had a FSH/LH ratio of 2:1 at the time, which my doctor thought indicated I was on my way. I had a pelvic ultrasound done in November, which showed that everything was normal.

My cycles are relatively normal...they vary in range a bit, but I do get a regular period, and I do seem to ovulate (I do chart, as my husband and I are gearing up to TTC.) I see an RE because I have Hashimoto's (thought I had Graves...apparently not) but I am not on any meds for that.

I was worried about the PCOS portion--particularly the possible IR--so I asked my RE's office about it. They dug up my latest labwork (which was done in November) and said that everything appears normal...my hormones, my glucose, and so they do not think I have PCOS.

This would be great news, and is, but I feel like I am going crazy b/c I still have some of the wretched symptoms of IR. My skin is TERRIBLE and has been for years, no matter what I do, I put on weight so easily and struggle to get it off, and I crave sweets and carbs like a mofo.

I just don't understand where these symptoms are coming from! I am so frustrated and feel like a totally different person than I was five years ago...I look different, and feel like crap. I asked the nurse at my RE's office if IR can exist separately from PCOS, and she said it could...but we didn't get much further. She did say my fasting glucose was normal, but I've read that IR may not show up in a standard fasting glucose, and that the 3 hour GTT may be more accurate, and I've never had that.

So, sorry for the novel. I am just despairing thinking that this bad skin and extra weight is my lot in life forever...does anyone have words of wisdom on where I should go next? Should I ask for the 3 hour GTT specifically?? I want to feel like I do something about it, my skin especially (I know the weight loss is more in my hands than I give myself credit for...)

Any help would be appreciated...

Thanks in advance!

Stevie

Victoria070505 · 07-24-2008, 03:43 PM

well I would reqest a second opinion and also if you have Hashimotos you should be getting treated. I also have Hashimots and I am on Synthroid. I have regular check-ups every 4 months because as you know my thyroid is slowly dieing nothing can be done to prevent that just to treat the effects which can be weight gain, difficulty losing weight, poor skin, hair loss tiredness all that wonderful stuff. When was the last time your thyroid levels where checked? Even if you are within the normal range but high lots of doctors choose to start you on thyroid meds. I would definitly look into that as well. I hope I have been helpful at all. I know it sucks but I hope things workout for you. ALso when you get pregnant you need to be sure to get your thyroid levels checked often because pregnancy acn mess with your thyroid production.

steviedork · 07-24-2008, 04:52 PM

Thank you for the reply! It was very helpful...I didn't think that all these frickin' symptoms might be b/c of my thyroid. The weird thing is, with Hashimoto's (and it WAS confirmed that I have Hashi's instead of Graves, which I thought I had for THREE years) my numbers are starting to head towards OVERactive, which is where I started in the first place. My body is so messed up...I would totally just rip it out/kill it but since we are TTC that's not quite a possibility. My RE is going to monitor my numbers closely, though, especially once (if we are lucky enough) we are pregnant. But I think it is SO weird, b/c my symptoms are all over the place: they seem like Hypo symptoms but my last TSH, a month ago, was at .73~ which is pretty low for me. *sigh* I don't get it.

Thanks again for replying :-)

Best of luck to you!

Stevie

Victoria070505 · 07-24-2008, 06:42 PM

well with Hashimotos it can go from Hypo to hyper and then be normal. Could be your thyroid was coming out or going into a hyper stage. Mine normally stays in the Hypo Stage. Eventually it will just go total hypo when your thyroid stops. I have pretty good doctors who explain everything to me. I definitly didn't before but now I do. Its actually my GYN who explains everythign to me my Endocrinologist is good but not the best bedside manners. But she gives good information. Anways are they going to continually monitor your thyroid every few months or so. I have to see my endo every 4 months to make sure my dosage is still good. Atleast your TSH is low enough not to effect a pregnancy. Thats good. I hope they figure out what is wrong fast so you can feel better.