Testosterone Lab results CONFUSION

Peaches3 · 11-25-2008, 03:01 PM

Just a little history here. My dermatologist was the one who told me to go see someone for PCOs. I asked him about the hair loss wanting to know if the medication I was taking for that could be the cause of the extra hair. He said not likely so he wanted me to go see a gynecologist. He gave me a list of drs. he preferred but none of them take self pay pts(I have no insurance) so it was hard finding someone who did. I finally found someone though... a nurse practioner. I didnt really like the way the 1st appt went. She was very nice however I felt like since I didnt have insurance that she wanted to test the least she could possibly test. I printed out the list of tests from this site and took it to her. She went and asked another dr. which were most important. My periods are normal so she went ahead and ruled out PCOS(which frustrated me because I've read up on things where people have PCOS and still have periods). Anyway, the Dr she talked to said I might just have hirsuitism but they would check my testosterone just to see what the results were.

DHEA Sulfate 234 (35-430)
Testosterone 54 (14-76 for females, 241-827 for males)
Sex Hormone Bindind Gloubulin 37 (18-114)
Free Testosterone 0.9 (0.3-1.6)
TSH 1.09 (.34-5.60)

I went in for a check up today. She said all of my labs came back normal so she really isnt sure what is going on. She asked me if I had a family care dr and told me to go see them and just have every kind of test run possible. The thing that makes me wonder.... According to the normal ranges for people with pcos listed on the site, it says that some consider a testosterone level above 50 to be somewhat elevated and that increased androgen production often leads to lower Sex Hormone Binding Gloubulin. If that is true, then maybe my testosterone is elevated since its 54 and that i do have an increase in androgen production since its only 37.

So, now Im going to go show my family dr the results. She requested the results from the office but it takes 7-10 days before they'll send them so I just asked for a copy of them myself. What bugs me about her is that she said we'll see if your testosterone is elevated or if you just have the extra hair. Can it just be in your genes to have extra hair on your chest and your neck?

Sorry this is so long. I just wanted yalls opinion on this to see what yall thought. I'd appreciate any kind of response. Thanks

HarleyGirl93 · 11-25-2008, 03:46 PM

Peaches, sorry you are having to go through this... Unfortunately I can't shed any light as to why you have extra hair, but your bloodwork seems to be normal. I have had the same problem though... I was tested extensively as a teenager, and the docs found all my hormones to be within NORMAL levels... even though I was sporting a beard any teeange boy would be envious of, as well as having hair sprout up in the unlikeliest of places, like bbs, chest, back, etc... It wasn't until I was in my early 30's that I was dx with PCOS, based on u/s of cysts on the ovaries, no periods for almost a year, and the hirsutism that was returning after years of electrolysis when I had gone on a break while living overseas. I had another testosterone test after my D&E this summer and was told those results were normal, again, so I have no explanation as to what might be causing the hair. Sorry I can't be more helpful! I would be interested to hear what the other cysters might know about this. thanks, Dianna

KatCarney · 11-25-2008, 03:58 PM

See the SECOND and THIRD posts in this thread: http://www.soulcysters.net/guide-und...ts-pcos-63885/