PCOS Diagnosis.. Can I join in here?!

ajoywilkey

Hi Friends, I'm a regular poster over on the TTC board but thought I should post over here and introduce myself.  We've been TTC since July and off BCP since May (was on them for 7 years).  I was having crazy cycles and went to my family doc about it (one cycle was 83 days!).  She did blood work and it came back with high testosterone so today I had an appoint with my obgyn to chat about that and TTC.  I'd like to share all about it here if you all dont mind:) First off I found out how high my testosterone actually was from the blood test I had done.  The doc said that the high end of normal level is 80 and mine was 106.  So really not that crazy high in my mind... She checked my ovaries and uterus and said they were fine as far as she could tell.  We discussed a lot and her end thought was PCOS.  She decided this because the testosterone and because I'm a bit over weight (im 5'4" and 184lbs) she also said cause i have hair on my face (it's very blond, light, and fine i've always had hair all over me).  I'm not sure I necessarily agree with her (not that i'm fighting the diagnosis).. I'm overweight because I love to eat and when I care enough to diet I can and do lose weight. and the "hair" has been there since i was a kid and the extra testosterone could be making that worse. and before I went on BCP i had normal cycles.  My next step is to get an ultrasound to check my ovaries then she said we could do a mixture of provera and clomid to get KU.  However I'm not ready to do the meds yet.  we've only been trying since July. Granted if my cycles continue to be 80+ days I'll do the meds but for all I know this cycle will be "normal".  I'm going to be doing lots more research on PCOS the next few days!  If anyone has any similar experiences i'd love to hear:) And I'd love any info and tips on the PCOS diagnosis.  Sorry for the book! #deardiary

ajoywilkey

NariaDreaming said:

Welcome. You're wise to not take the clomid from your OB. If you're not ready to go the medication route, I'd suggest picking up a basal body thermometer and signing up for Fertility Friend and chart for a few months to see if you are ovulating. If you're not, go see a reproductive endocrinologist.  

For now take the provera to jump start your period (it's not good to let your lining grow too thick). 

Before you consider clomid you'll need an HSG to make sure your tubes are clear, CD3 bloodwork, and then 7DPO bloodwork (if you ovulate). And your husband will need a semen analysis to make sure he doesn't have issues as well. 

I'm currently on CD 13 and just started temping this cycle! I've been reading around on here and see everyone suggesting to others to go to an RE right away when getting a PCOS diagnosis so think ill be looking into finding an RE....
Thanks for your response! Will the RE take care of all those tests you mentioned? the OB gave me the order for DH semen analysis so well take care of that.

LindseyM2012

I agree with @NariaDreaming‌ to take the diagnosis with a grain of salt considering some of your history, but I would personally suggest seeing an RE now. The long irregular cycles and elevated testosterone are red flags of SOMETHING. BTW- my ob and RE told me that 45 was a high-normal testosterone and that I'm WAY high at 114. I don't know if it's a matter of interpretation, but maybe an RE has a different "normal" benchmark for that level. Anyway...with those red flags, there's no reason you can't consult an RE for testing if you want. I totally get if you're not ready yet though. You can get a couple months of charts ready for doctor's review in the meantime (unless you get your BFP). Just PLEASE do NOT take the Clomid from the ob.

I'm sorry you find yourself here, but welcome and good luck.

SND1231

I agree with PP definitely do not take the Clomid. It is unsafe as most OBs do not monitor and it can cause serious harm. I am on the fence as to my opinion on if you should go to a RE now or later. It seems like your OB wasn't very definitive about your PCOS diagnosis. You do not appear to have all the symptoms but it is definitely possible. I would say go with your gut. If you are feeling like something is wrong and you are ready to get the ball rolling then go to the RE. But you said that you weren't ready for meds, so I would say probably start temping like you said and try to understand a little more about your cycles. That's just my two cents tho. I went straight to a RE since I had a complicated medical history. Good Luck.

ajoywilkey

I'm just not positive it's PCOS so I don't wanna waste time and money at a RE. After coming off BCP I had a few cycles one at 32 days then 36 days, then 39, then 83! So maybe that 83 was just a fluke and the testosterone is from the BCP?! I don't know! I'm gonna temp, CM, OPK this cycle and see how it goes if it's crazy long I think I'll look into a RE appoin. Think that sounds reasonable?

BunnyBerry

It sounds like your OB jumped to conclusions. I agree with PPs and your plan, temp carefully and get a pelvic ultrasound. If you have polycystic/enlarged ovaries together with the elevated testosterone, then the PCOS diagnosis makes more sense. Also, if you have 2-3 anovulatory cycles with few or no ovulatory cycles in between, that's a perfect time to meet an RE.

kushie77

PP pretty much covered it. I may have missed it, but did you say what your age is?  I know it sound silly but if you are near or over the 35 mark and having such wonky cycles coupled with your elevated testosterone I don't think seeing the RE now would be such a bad thing, if you aren't I don't see the harm in temping a few cycles and waiting for the year mark.

Hello and welcome BTW.

ajoywilkey

kushie77 said:

PP pretty much covered it. I may have missed it, but did you say what your age is?  I know it sound silly but if you are near or over the 35 mark and having such wonky cycles coupled with your elevated testosterone I don't think seeing the RE now would be such a bad thing, if you aren't I don't see the harm in temping a few cycles and waiting for the year mark.

Hello and welcome BTW.

I'm only 25

ajoywilkey

Question since I'm sure some of you have dealt with insurance regards to "infertility" If I go to the RE clearly the diagnosis of PCOS would be covered and I see IVF would clearly not be covered, but would the clomid and testing be covered? I know I can just call and find out but I wanted to ask here and just see if you all had an idea.  The below is from my insurance paperwork... 

for infertility testing are limited to the actual testing for a diagnosis of infertility. Any outside intervention procedures (e.g., artificial insemination) will not be considered a covered expense.