Test results normal?? I don't understand. I don't feel normal!

Ophelia1920 · 07-14-2005, 11:34 PM

I will have to call the clinic tomorrow, but just wanted to run this by you and what are your thoughts and experiences on this?

Had a fasting glucose test done and here are results in a nutshell:

"your androstenedrone(?), testosterone, glucose, DHEA, and insulin results were all normal".

Hellooooo?!? I have a hard time losing weight (IR), I'm hairy (hirtiusm whatever), have cystic acne (androgen) and lab tests are normal?? Seems the only thing here to indicate PCOS is my ultrasound and the fact that I had one 35 day cycle since the beginning of the year (all other cycles near normal).

So am I not IR for sure, or what? Does this mean Met would not help me if I'm not IR? This upsets me, I really don't get it. I know you can have PCOS w/o most of the symptoms, but if I have the symptoms but tests show normal, does that mean I can't fix the symptoms (infertility, acne, weight)?

If it sounds like I'm going nuts here, I am

heather090702 · 07-14-2005, 11:53 PM

Did you see the doctor or get the results on the phone? It could be possible that you are on the higher end of the "normal" range.

There are some women here who take met even though they are not technically IR and do see results. So, it is possible to control symptoms even if your results are "normal."

Good luck working out your treatment.

Heather

Ophelia1920 · 07-14-2005, 11:59 PM

Thank you! I thought they were going to call me, but I just got a letter in the mail today. So I should ask for specific numbers as far as the hormone and insulin results? The letter lists the #s for things like cholesterol (glucose was left blank, don't know why but said it was normal), but didn't list out specifics for the hormones and insulin.

Ophelia1920 · 07-15-2005, 03:39 PM

OK, I talked with someone at the clinic and she looked up the results.

Testosterone - 32 range is 4-39
Free Testosterone - 3.9 and it's supposed to be 6.3 or lower
Androstenedine - 89 range is 20-285
Insulin - 9 but don't remember what the range is
Glucose - 94 and 92 after sugar drink (supposed to be below 100)

I'm reading the big PCOS book and it's talking about normal test results, and that other conditions can mimic PCOS, so not sure what to think. My ovaries on the ultrasound were definitly polycystic, I have the outward symptoms, and I'm infertile, but the blood tests all normal???

Oh, and the blood tests were done on about day 23 of my cycle. Does that make a difference?

and I have to wait until MONDAY to talk to the nurse practitioner that I've had my appointments with.

Can someone help me with the results? I'd appreciate it, thanks!

Ophelia1920 · 07-15-2005, 05:46 PM

Oh, I just read the sticky "MAKING SENSE OF YOUR LAB TESTS" so I'm understanding it better now. Still not sure if my levels are really "normal" or not.

Sillie · 07-15-2005, 08:10 PM

"Oh, I just read the sticky "MAKING SENSE OF YOUR LAB TESTS" so I'm understanding it better now. Still not sure if my levels are really "normal" or not."

Ophelia -- can you tell me where that sticky is? I just got some weird test results and I'd like to "make sense of them".

I hope you get the answers you need soon.

heather090702 · 07-15-2005, 09:20 PM

The sticky is first in the newbies section.

As for your results, I'm sorry I can't help you with them. Good luck figuring it out and at your appointment.

Heather

Bert · 07-16-2005, 02:00 PM

I saw that your range for testosterone is 4-39. On my lab results the range is 14-76. My testosterone level is 39 but I have been on BCP for years and it was day 18 of my cycle. All this testing and results. I have yet to make sense of it all and everybody's doctors are saying different things are or are not normal. I am going bonkers.

omcv · 07-16-2005, 03:03 PM

There are five different types of PCOS ...

http://www.wdxcyber.com/dxinf001.htm

# traditional PCOS -- anovulatory, increased androgens, no insulin resistance
# endocrine syndrome X -- anovulatory, increased androgens, insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
# non-traditional PCOS --anovulatory, normal androgens, obese, insulin resistant or type 2 diabetes
# non-traditional PCOS -- ovulatory, increased androgens, mild insulin resistance
# idiopathic hirsutism -- ovulatory, increased androgens, no insulin resistance

girlywhirly · 07-17-2005, 02:00 AM

Ophelia, I know exactly what you're talking about. I went to my doctor a few months ago and told her that I think I have pcos. She run a complete blood test and it came back normal for everything, and it was a very complete test.

But, I have many of the classical symptoms. I'm losing hair, not losing weight. I have facial hair, and unwanted hair elsewhere too. Long, irregular cycles.

She asked me why i thought I had pcos, because when she told me I didn't have pcos, I was in utter shock. I told her that I have facial hair. She looked at my face and told me she doesn't see anything (duh, I wax) and that facial hair is normal anyway.

She already knows I'm losing hair and it's really, really bad now. I've probably lost 2/3 of my hair now. But, she's not concerned. She tells me to brush my hair less vigorously (I never did brush vigorously) and that hair loss is normal.

I am too embarrassed to talk about my other symptoms with her, but I left the office convinced that I didn't have pcos and that everything was my fault and that if I tried harder, I wouldn't have any of these symptoms. I stopped going to soulcysters.com and I felt like such a loser for ever thinking that I had pcos, because it looked like I was just looking for an excuse for being overweight.

Fast forward a few months. My hair is still falling out. I still can't lose weight even though I work out 6 days/week. I feel horrible about my looks and everything... But, I feel like my doctor just doesn't believe me. I honestly think that she thinks I'm faking, not really exercising, not trying hard enough... and am a hypochondriac, whatever.

Anyway, I really am sad right now and feel helpless about my situation. So, you're definitely not alone, and I'm also going crazy over this but at least we can be crazy together.

KatCarney · 07-17-2005, 02:03 AM

You might want to check the resources here:
http://www.soulcysters.com/diagnosis.html

innkeepermommy · 07-18-2005, 04:44 AM

A lot of us have normal labs. My testosterone is even on the low end of normal - but I still have thinning hair, cystic acne, facial hair and hair on my tummy and chest.

You are going to have to find the right doctor. It may take some digging around and you may need to try a GYN or RE or ENDO. Just keep going until you find someone who WILL diagnosis you.

tigir · 07-18-2005, 05:11 AM

My lab tests came back "normal" for years until I told my dr. that I wanted to be tested for PCOS and the ultrasound confirmed it and my testosterone was finally at the high end, like 50 or 60 - can't recall exactly. So it took things getting to that point before I was definately dx and then I was referred to an endo. who took one look at me and said, "you are definately IR" If only I would have known to go there first! Good luck with everything!

Ophelia1920 · 07-18-2005, 07:35 PM

Thanks for your replies! I have some more information. Apparently my left ovary is polycystic and my right ovary is not. She's going to consult with colleagues and it looks like I'll probably be referred to an endocrinologist. There could be something else going on that is mimicking PCOS (although I have so many of the symptoms! I wonder what else is close to PCOS?). And there's definitely something that's causing me to be infertile.

tiggerlily5278 · 07-19-2005, 09:44 AM

We know ourselves better than the docs do. We are our own best advocates for our health. The docs have so many other patients besides us to think about; we only have ourselves. Find out as much info as you can about your specific conditions, so you can speak to them intelligently. If they do not seem to "get it" or their opinions are contrary to what you know is true, keep going to different docs until you find one who is willing to work with you. Many docs simply do not know enough about PCOS. I'd try to find an endo or repr. endo who specializes in PCOS. Try not to be discouraged. It definately sounds like you have PCOS. You just need to find the right doc. Once you do, I'm sure you'll be on your way to getting rid of the horrible symptoms of PCOS. Good luck.