Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Support Group
Polycythemia is a condition in which there is a net increase in the total circulating erythrocyte (red blood cell) mass of the body. Primary polycythemia occurs when excess erythrocytes are produced as a result of a proliferative abnormality of the bone marrow. Secondary polycythemia is caused by increases of erythropoietin that result in an increased production of...
Hello everyone. Let me give a little background. I have been having irregular periods most of my life, but after I had my son, they seemed to sort of normalize at least. In the past 7 or so months, I have only had one period. I went to the doctor on the 14th and she asked a bunch of questions and did a bunch of tests. She said I may have PCOS. I literally just got off the phone with the nurse and she said "your testosterone levels are elevated which is consistent with PCOS. Take the birth control and the doctor will meet with you again in 3 months." Does this mean I have PCOS??
Have you had your glucose checked yet? Sometimes PCOS ladies have a hard time breaking down sugar which makes us more likely to be pre-diabetic. I'm surprised they are checking up on you in 3 months and not sooner.
Also, how is your mood, skin, and hair? Those are other indicators of PCOS. Sometimes doctors will diagnosis on a whim and since not a lot of studies have been put into PCOS, sometimes you just get pigeon-holed into it. Stick around and I am sure a lot of these ladies will help you to understand PCOS, including myself, so if you need advice, support, etc, let me know!
I have hypothyroidism. My levels were normal. She said that the testosterone levels were elevated, but everything else looked good. I'm not exactly sure what they tested. They took 6 vials of blood. I guess I will call Monday and ask them if they checked my glucose. Is it like the one you have when you're pregnant and have to drink that orange drink? If it is, then I didn't have it.
My mood is not that bad right now. I guess it has been bad in the past few months though. I have suffered from depression for years. I feel better mentally then I have in a long time though. My skin has been breaking out for about as long as I haven't really had my period and I thought maybe I was getting some excess hair, but I am not sure.
I will definitely stick around and ask them to give me a glucose test if they haven't. Thank you again!
PCOS is the most common cause of elevated testosterone, but elevated testosterone doesn't automatically mean you definitely have PCOS - I'm guessing this is why the nurse said "consistent with" and not "caused by". My doctor originally treated me the same way as yours did, though, he gave me bc for a couple of months and then repeated the blood tests to see if anything had changed.
In addition to the symptoms brina already mentioned, the women's health website at the Dept. of Health has some general information about PCOS (http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm#d) .
On a different topic, I'm completely bowled over how warm, friendly and reassuring that nurse was...
Well I am hoping the birth control will even everything out and I will be fine. I have had issues with my weight my whole life. It got really bad right before I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I'd like to say it's gone down since then, but I am still about 20lbs heavier than I was when I was diagnosed (2006)
I am also TERRIFIED to get diabetes. My last boyfriend had type 1, but he had it very bad and never took care of himself. I have seen what those effects can do and it is quite scary. I am trying to maintain my diet right now. Low calorie. I try to eat 1200 calories or less. Which may not be the best way to go about it, but it is the only thing I have done that has shown me any results (down 22 lbs!)
Thank you for the website. I guess the nurse gives news like this all the time. Maybe she is desensitized lol.
Thank you both for your input!
There are multiple glucose tests, but the glucose tolerance test is probably the OJ one, it's given to pregos to determine if gestational diabetes is a concern. It's also commonly given as part of a PCOS screen. I'd STRONGLY suggest you request a consult with an endocrinologist. Because your testosterone is high and you already have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, your doctor should have referred you already if you don't already have standing appointments. PCOS and hypothyroid are both endocrine disorders, and you want to be on the lookout for cushings syndrome! I'm NOT saying you have it or could get it, but it's often missed by doctors in the early stages, and the sooner you catch it the better. If I were you I'd request to have a 24-hr urine sample tested as well as a hormone blood panel. Both are tests that a good doctor should be happy to do given your medical history.
Regarding diabetes - if it IS PCOS, and you are not overweight, then you aren't at a super high risk, but it's something to keep in your mind. But when combined with the slowed metabolism of hypothyroidism, you'll always be at risk for weight gain. At least it is "easier" for you to gain weight than for someone with adequate thyroid hormone. Both hypothyroidism and PCOS cause weight gain and/or difficulty losing weight.
OK, I'm rambling now. What I can say is I study the crap out of this stuff, and I have to watch my diet very carefully and exercise regularly just to stay the weight I am, which isn't skinny by a long shot. I'm vigilant for diabetic symptoms, like peeing a lot, super thirst without a reason, lightheadedness, etc. because if type II does come on, I want to control it before it controls my life. I always suggest the same to anyone with any kind of hormone imbalance because they all "talk" to each other, and one wonky hormone can sometimes effect another.