Understanding contradicting Lab Results..? Help please!!

MrsG · 10-09-2009, 06:45 PM

I'm hoping that in posting this.. I can at least get some good search options.. some 'insider' advice.. or just at least one helpful hint!! I am so frustrated. A little on me..

I'm 25, I've had irregular periods from the get go. Since I started. About 6 times a year. Every year they are less and less frequent. BC helps, of course to regulate. My husband and I want to have children, eventually, so I went off BC a year and a half ago. Haven't had a period since. This spurred me to go to the doctor (finally!). I have recently, well.. the last year or so.. lost about 60 pounds. But before, I had obvious signs of IR. Just the darkening of the armpits (which I have had as long as I can remember), the back of my neck, and the insides of my thighs. I still have a VERY obviously large midsection, if it's not held in or constantly flexed (which, I've grown to be able to do quite well over the years) I look very pregnant. the rest of my body looks like a very, very fit person, as I exercise frequently. My hair has thinned dramatically over the past 2 years, and my moods are literally ALL over the board.

On to the testing. I went to see an endocrinologist, who I think I'm happy with..? She tested me for everything.. she explained them, but my mind was swimming when I went to see her for the results this morning. She said I don't have PCOS, but it was because while some levels were high and indicated PCOS, the others that would corroborate that finding.. did not. Siiigh. It's not like I WANT PCOS.. but it would help explain so much. I'm getting re-tested on the DHEA hormone level, as it read 41 L which she then explained may be lab error.. otherwise, it would mean I have the DHEA of a Postmenopausal woman.. which, as I said I am 25 years old. Assuming it's not a lab error.. what the heck does THAT mean??

Here are my other results followed by what the lab lists as 'normal' or at least 'normal range.' Maybe some of you awesome Cysters can help me out with this?

This was a 8 hr fasting test done at 9:30a:

Glucose: 78 (in range 65-99 mg/dL)
Testosterone, free and total, LC/MS/MS (testosterone total): 35 (in range 2-45 ng/dL)
%of free testosterone: 1.80% (range 0.5-2.0%)
Testosterone, Free: 6.3 (range 0.1-6.4)
DHEA Sulfate: 41 L
FSH: 7.2 (looks like I'm in the "luteral phase" which is 1.5-9.1.. and just BEFORE the postmenopausal phast of 23.0-116.3)
Insulin: <2
Prolactin: 4.4
Estradiol: 26
Cortisol, A.M: 11.1 (range of 4.0-22.0)
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin: 19
TSH, 3rd Generation w/ Reflex to FT4: 1.06

I'm sorry it's so much.. I'm just frustrated, scared and very confused. I've been googling since I got home at 10:00am. It's now nearly 2:00pm. So, I feel I've exhausted my research abilities and I'm at a loss. Can anyone make heads or tails of this..? Or maybe know of where I can? Or what these levels may mean?

I really appreciate any help anyone could give me

July · 10-27-2009, 11:33 AM

Bumping this for ya!

Do you know at what cycle day you were when you were tested?

And don't worry about your FSH

Mine was 8 IU/L the first time I was tested and I was shocked too, but another time it was 3,7 and the one time it was tested on CD 3 it was 5.5. So it fluctuates, I was once told that you should still go by your 'worst' score but some say that you should really look at your levels when tested on CD 3.

I'm 25 too, and have always had irregular cycles like you. I've never had troubles with IR or weight but I'm also seemingly difficult to diagnose because my levels are mostly within ranges.

Have you had an ultra sound of your ovaries? You can be diagnosed with PCOS if

- you have cysts on your ovaries (more than 8 on both sides I believe) and if they are enlarged

- lab levels show your androgens are elevated or if you show signs of hyperandrogenism (acne, hirsutism, balding etc)

- you have oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea (less than 8 (?) cyles a year)

That being said, I was initially diagnosed because I had some cysts (but not enough) and because my LH was 14 while my FSH was 8. So for some doctors the LH:FSH ratio can be a sign on the wall as well.

I hope this helps (a little at least), good luck to you!