pcos [Archive] - Insulite PCOS Forums

drnicole

11-04-2008, 09:56 PM

Hello ladysilk,

It sounds like you do have many of the signs and symptoms of PCOS. PCOS is notoriously difficult to diagnose. It is a diagnosis of exclusion. In other words, it is important to rule out other diseases that can cause symptoms similar to PCOS (such as Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia). To diagnose PCOS, we use a combination of clinical symptoms (what you experience as the patient, such as excess hair growth, irregular menses, acne, skin tags, weight gain, infertility, etc.) and lab tests.

The blood tests to consider are:
- testosterone- elevated in PCOS

- DHEA-S- elevated in PCOS

- Fasting insulin- elevated in PCOS. Some doctors may hesitate to order this test because the normal range (0-20) is so wide. However, we find that results greater than 9 indicate insulin resistance. insulin resistance is usually the underlying cause of PCOS, as you may have read about on our site.

- Fasting glucose or glucose tolerance test- elevated in PCOS. Using this information in combination with the fasting insulin helps to diagnose insulin resistance. Also, women with PCOS have a higher risk of diabetes so it is important to screen for this early and often.

- LH: FSH- Some doctors may also look at the ratio between these two hormones. In PCOS, we would expect LH to be elevated in comparison to FSH.

- You could get an ultrasound to check for the presence of ovarian cysts. Even if the ovaries do appear normal, the absence of ovarian cysts does not mean that you don't have PCOS. Not everyone with PCOS has ovarian cysts.

- I would also check your cholesterol levels and liver function tests, as these can also be abnormal in PCOS (as well as in many other conditions).

Lab testing is not mandatory for diagnosing PCOS, especially if you are experiencing so many of the symptoms. However, the above tests do give us numbers which, along with the improvement of your clinical symptoms, help us monitor your progress.

Some women with PCOS respond well to Glucophage (Metformin) in terms of losing weight and regulating their menses, but we hear from many women for whom this medication is ineffective.

Our view on the pharmaceutical treatment of PCOS is that there is no one drug on the market that will change your condition. The only way to reverse the disorder is to reduce elevations in insulin, which directly affect testosterone and other hormonal changes that are responsible for causing PCOS.

The Insulite PCOS System was created to address the cause of PCOS. With those on Glucophage, we cannot say that we have noticed dramatic results in weight loss, hair growth, acne or other symptoms related to PCOS.

These symptoms can be partially controlled by diet and exercise changes. The addition of nutrients will help you become more sensitive to your insulin and reduce the symptoms of insulin resistance and PCOS.

The supplements are designed to improve insulin sensitivity, help you lose weight, reduce the symptoms of PCOS, correct the hormonal imbalance of PCOS, and help manage the deleterious consequences of having elevated insulin. Here is a link to a page on our website that describes the supplements in detail: http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com/PCOS-Elements.php.

i was told that i might have pcos since i was 16 years old i fell pregnant when i was 21 and 23 i am 27 now what does this mean can this sickness be cured i do not no much about it. i have not had an ultrasound to no if i have cytcs but i have lots of the symtoms painfull periods, hair growth on my face, weight gain, always tired, depresstion. the hospital bring me evey 6months for appoinments and do not seem to be telling me anything they have put me on metformin which i stop because i was getting blured eye sight which now i am wearing glasses now, and they have put me on xenical for my weight i do not no were to go next any ideas anyone.