Girls with PCOS...testosterone levels?

nygirl07

Do any of you remember what your testosterone levels were?   I have an excess hair problem but that's it...I'm currently on BC and brought up my concern to my Dr and they did bloodwork.  They said my levels were normal but after reading up on PCOS I've read different things and about how what some labs say is normal isn't...I've also read that some RE say a leve over 40 is high.

My levels on BC were at 45...I'm assuming BC does something to my testosterone levels and would assume that it would be lower on BC right?  If so then that would mean my levels are higher off right?

I'm just so confused b/c after I read up on the levels I'm not sure.  My FSH and LH levels were 0.7 and 1.7 too....I don't know if that means anything.

I asked my Dr if they could tell my levels being that I was on BC and she said they would still be able too but I'm not sure b/c she's also the Dr that said my hair issue was just b/c I was Italian and never even looked at the problem

TIA

nygirl07

I also wanted to ask if any of you heard of certain BC causing an increase in excess hair/acne.  While researching I found a website telling which pills to stay away from b/c they can cause an increase in those problems due to a certain amount of 1 hormone in them

Florak8

My friend with the recent PCOS diagnosis went to a PCOS specialist who said Yaz is the best BC for managing symptoms.

I was told long ago that hormone levels will reflect  PCOS red-flags while you are on the pill, but you will want to wait a few months to get them tested to get the most accurate natural hormone levels. I know it's annoying because if you are not TTC, you still have to go off the BC whch helps curtail many of your symptoms (like body hair growth).

nygirl07

FloraK8:

I was told long ago that hormone levels will reflect  PCOS red-flags while you are on the pill, but you will want to wait a few months to get them tested to get the most accurate natural hormone levels. I know it's annoying because if you are not TTC, you still have to go off the BC whch helps curtail many of your symptoms (like body hair growth).

 By this do you mean that you were told they can see if you have PCOS even while on BC? 

I heard that about Yaz too after I read on it....I didn't go on BC until 21 and was having a very regular period, no acne and no weight problems.  The only symptom I ever had was the hair.  I ended up getting electrolysis which helped with the hair on my face but I still have the trail on my belly.  After reading up on excess hair I heard about PCOS, but I thought the pill would help and it didn't. So after reading that certain pills make it worse, I found that the two pills I"ve been on in the last 8 years did just that.

I'm switching OBGYN's this month and plan on bringing up my concern to my new dr...I'm going to ask her to redo the bloodwork once I'm off the pill to get a more accurate reading.  How long do you suggest that I be off the pill to get an accurate reading?  I'm hoping it's nothing but there is so reason I've got the excess hair and I want to know why

katieranck2202

You can't trust b/w done while on bcp. It skews with the hormone tests and it certainly can skew with the lh:fsh ratio. First off those test need to be done on cd3 when you are NOT on bcp. I also call BS to any doctor who blames an Italian heritage on a hair problem. My mother is 100% and I have a far worse abnormal hair growth than she does. However, if you aren't TTC, you can take spirolactin to help with the hair growth (not safe even while TTC)

SNB2B

I noticed a huge increase in hair growth and acne on Lo estrin 24 FE. I'm not sure about the other answers to your questions but that birth control had an opposite effect on me. 

rachel06

katieranck2202:

You can't trust b/w done while on bcp. It skews with the hormone tests and it certainly can skew with the lh:fsh ratio. First off those test need to be done on cd3 when you are NOT on bcp. I also call BS to any doctor who blames an Italian heritage on a hair problem. My mother is 100% and I have a far worse abnormal hair growth than she does. However, if you aren't TTC, you can take spirolactin to help with the hair growth (not safe even while TTC)

 

This. I have PCOS & my testosterone level was 101.  The reference range at my lab was 2-45. I don't know anything about spirolactin though. HTH

nygirl07

rachel06:

katieranck2202:

This. I have PCOS & my testosterone level was 101.  The reference range at my lab was 2-45. I don't know anything about spirolactin though. HTH

Why does each lab say different things?  According to my lab work I'm within normal range...I think it says 4--75 or somewhere around there.  Is there different times of lab work for testosterone?   Of course this is on BC so who knows what it is once off...and if the pill I'm on is known to increase hair grown and acne then it would increase certain hormones right?

This is so confusing..I'm just trying to figure it out before I go to my Dr.

 Oh and when I go off BC in Jan we'll be TTC so taking any medication for the hair is out of the question...I did hear about that one though.

brenorrn

Yes, I have also read this.  The "normal" listed range isn't always "normal" for PCOS tests, including testosterone.  Mine was 53, and I have read anything over 25-30 can suggest PCOS.

nygirl07

Where you considered as having a high level at 53? B/c I've see some people say that there levels were around 80-100?

What symptoms did you have?  I'm assuming if you have PCOS with a level of 53 then my level of 45 isn't to far off andI 'm on BC

brenorrn

nygirl07:

Where you considered as having a high level at 53? B/c I've see some people say that there levels were around 80-100?

What symptoms did you have?  I'm assuming if you have PCOS with a level of 53 then my level of 45 isn't to far off andI 'm on BC

Hi nygirl

When I stopped the BCP (on it for 15 yrs) I had really oily skin the first couple of months, then turned to acne (had some acne issues as a teen and on BCP), but this got pretty bad.  Some weight gain, 10 lbs, 10 months. Some hair growth for me, most would consider it not much, but for me a change, then my cycles got longer and LONGER, AF lighter and lighter, at first, I just thought it was b/c I was getting used to not taking the pill.  But after 100+ days, I went in, She thought it might be PCOS, the increased testosterone (53 both my GYN and RE agree when other s/s are there, it doesn't have to follow the "normal  limits").  Then U/S showed some cysts on ovarys.  So it wasn't just the testerone level for my dx.  But if you are still on BCP things can change.  If you are at 45, say it goes up to even 53, once off, and your only symptom is acne, it maynot suggest PCOS.  Are you planning on coming off BC?  I'd just watch your symptoms and retest when you stop them after a few cycles and see if any others arise.  Did you already say why you were already testing, does something suggest PCOS even while you are on BC?

nygirl07

I'm coming off BC in Jan and we want to start TTC right away....accoring to my Dr the bloodwork was normal...i got it 2 yrs ago while on BC.  The only symptom I have that concerns me is the excess hair...I've read some things that say most females with excess hair have PCOS.  I've been on the pill for 8 years and the hair has always been there so it didn't make it better or worse...the only other concern i have is that on BC I very rarely get a period..3 Dr's told me it's a normal reaction to the pill but I always get worried that it means something is off since my body is reacting that way to a very low does pill

I go in for my yearly in Sept so I'll bring it up to my Dr and ask her to test me once I'm off the pill for a few months

brenorrn

I think that sounds like a great place to start, then just watch for more s/s.  i bet you will be great!