5 Types of PCOS

[shellygirl]

What exactly is "mild insulin resistance"? My lab work results were: fasting insulin 15.1 (normal is under 10); 2 hour insulin 86.1 (normal range is under 50) The doc just told me that I was insulin resistant. She didn't say if it was mild or not. Are my numbers really high, or do i fall in the mild category?

Aisha and Jashobeam,

The reason it is so difficult to find reference numbers for normal, borderline and high IR is because it varies a lot depending on factors such as weight, ethnicity, age... I have even read that the test they do to determine IR is not even overly accurate! (There is another test involving intravenous drips that is more accurate, but also more time consuming, expensive and just plain difficult!)

I think it is best to rely on the doctor's interpretation of your results, since they should know you and know your physical symptoms and family history as well, which can help them determine how bad your IR is.

Hope this helps,
Love,
Michelle

[RamblinRose]

I voted #3 but I could be #2, last time I was checked my androgens were borderline. My testosterone fell in "normal" but it was right at the top of the "range" they judged by, and I have excess hair growth (and have to shave my chin ) so it must be high enough for that. So, I didn't really know what to pick. I am obese, annovulatory, normal/borderline high androgens I guess, and insulin resistant, among other things but those are the things on the lists.

[Adyllia]

I'm hoping for the last one (idiopathic hirsutism). Currently on the pill, but when I'm not, I always get AF every 28 days and I'm pretty sure I do ovulate (saliva microscope). My big, big symptom is man-hair.

[yeslek]

i'm type 2

[sarahgmac]

I am a 3. GO # 3!!!!!!!

[eww]

Okay, I'm either a 1 or 2. My gynecologist told me, when I was first trying to figure this waked out body of mine that I was not insulin resistant. But then my endocrinologist told me that I probably am (due to "dirty" skin in various places, which I always thought was perfectly normal til dr. pointed it out) and that the Oral glucose tolerance test was more effective in women with PCOS than fasting blood test. So depending on the results from that.

[locagirl]

I'm a type 5 :s

[Jashobeam]

Aisha and Jashobeam,

The reason it is so difficult to find reference numbers for normal, borderline and high IR is because it varies a lot depending on factors such as weight, ethnicity, age... I have even read that the test they do to determine IR is not even overly accurate! (There is another test involving intravenous drips that is more accurate, but also more time consuming, expensive and just plain difficult!)

I think it is best to rely on the doctor's interpretation of your results, since they should know you and know your physical symptoms and family history as well, which can help them determine how bad your IR is.

Hope this helps,
Love,
Michelle

Yes, my doc said that even though my numbers were not way off, I still had IR and PCOS. My Mom's and DH's docs I don't trust. They dont' give you any numbers, just their opinion unless you hassle them. I had to take mom to my doc to get her a dx of IR, her regular doc woudln't even do any tests for it! DH had an insulin test, but they gave me a number that I coudlnt' find a chart for at all and they didn't explain the results, just told us he was "normal range" (which I doubt since BOTH his parents are diabetic and he eats sugar like crazy). It wasn't like the number my doc gave me at all, it must have been a different test I guess. I keep telling DH if he doesn't get a real insulin test with results we can make heads or tails out of, I'm dragging him to my GYN, lol.

[mix]

i have a question. what is classed as 'mildy insulin resistant'?

[luvinme]

Thanks for that bump Jashobeam, i meant to come back to this when i knew what i was, then it disappeared for a while.
I'm a 4 - althought i still don't have all my lab results. (My doc relies more on clinical observation than labs - but that will change soon.)

[Jashobeam]

i have a question. what is classed as 'mildy insulin resistant'?

I would love it if someone would post the numbers for this. My doc said I have mild insulin resistance, but I had tons of symptoms that got so much better after starting Met. and a modified lower carb diet.


ETA: I just found my first fasting insulin test from last year. It lists the "normal range" for fasting insulin as 6-27 uIH/ml. Mine was 26.9, which was enough for my doc to put me on 1500 mg Met per day. He said it was mild, but wrote on the sheet "high" next to the insulin levels. My fasting glucose was 90 (normal at that time being 60 to 110). That means I have been on Met. for a year and two months. Amazing how time flies!

It seems next to my Prolactin levels he wrote "borderline." It was 20.4 and normal is 2.8 to 29.2 ng/mL for pre menopausal, not PG females.

[Jeannette]

Interesting that under PCOS there are like 5 different subcategories that women with this syndrome fall under. I guess they've done more research on this. I believe I'm a 2 but could be a 3 then again I'm not obese anymore since losing weight. It's hard to say for sure but still lean toward 2 though.

[belle84]

every dif person has so many dif things - some times it amazes me we all "suffer" from the same thing!! xx

[Firestarr]

I'm not sure where I fall in. I won't have a period for months on end and then Boom I'll get one WITH an O...

But I do have increased androgens and very slight insulin resistance.

[TiaJadeddevil]

I believe that I am a 2.