PCOS: testing/treatment etc.

legaleagles

Hi ladies...I'm brand spankin' new to this board (never even lurked before) and have questions/am seeking advice

DH and I were married in September and went off BCP right away and have been trying since October. I'd been on BCP most of my life to regulate my amenhorrea, which was never diagnosed. I've had annovulatory endo and surgery for that in 2005. Not surprisingly, AF did not show after I stopped BCP. After several long cycles with provera I switched GYNs b/c I was unhappy with mine. I met with the new doc yesterday. She did some bloodwork: FSH, Prolactin, and testosterone. The testosterone came back high at 111. She emailed me and said it was PCOS and I should start metformin b/c this was the reason for my anovulation. It could be, but I feel like from my research it should be more thoroughly investigated. I am overweight, but not excessively so (and I'm very active - just ran my first full marathon 2.5 weeks ago), don't have excess hair growth, my weight isn't around my belly, have a low fasting blood sugar, etc. So I have some, but not all symptoms. She didn't order an ultra sound. She also said she'd refer me to the RE when we hit a year, but if I wanted she'd send the referral now - I asked her today to do that and haven't heard back.

So I'm just curious - would you expect more than just a high testosterone level to dx PCOS? Should I see how I respond to the metformin for a few months and then ask for the referral (I'd be super bummed, though if nothing happened and then had to wait a while to get in - so essentially it could be 4-6 months before I actually got in - which is not cool w/ me)? 

So just looking for thoughts/advice/support/etc. from you all - my local board suggested checking you out. 

THANKS!

halfnhalf

Hey there... a couple of things, and welcome of course!
1) PCOS encompasses a really broad range of symptoms.  If I were you, I'd be curious to have an ultrasound done of my ovaries to see if they truly are polycystic in nature (looking almost like a honeycomb).
2) If you can't get into the Reproductive Endocrinologist for a few weeks/months, you could at least try and hook up with a regular plain-old Endocrinologist.  Maybe you can get in there quicker.  They deal with the hormonal imbalances and Metformin aspect of things. 
3) I probably wouldn't completely count on Metformin making any big changes, because it seems like oftentimes it takes more than just the Met, unfortunately.  So consider how proactive you want to be w/things.
4) Met's kind of a b!tch, due to the GI issues it tends to cause!  Just an FYI!
5) Congrats on the marathon!  GL with your TTC journey... you'll find lots of info and support here. 

tarajayne

I don't really have a whole lot of advice but just wanted to say welcome to the board and I hope your stay is short   I would try to get in to see the RE as soon as you can because it can be a long journey as many ladies here will tell you.  I hope not though Good luck! 

SNB2B

Hi and welcome. I hope your stay is short. It sounds like your RE looked at your bloodwork results and came up with a diagnosis of PCOS. Bloodwork is a really good way to make the diagnosis because FSH/LH ratios are usually off among other things. I had a correct PCOS diagnosed about 7 years before I ever had an ultrasound by one of the lead researchers in the country.

I'd give the metformin a shot. I've heard recently that it can help with egg quality even if women without insulin resistance.

I hope that we can help give you any information you need and good luck!

ETA: Many doctors will give you a referral to an RE once you have a diagnosis that affects fertility. Can you ask about that? Hopefully you won't need one, since it takes some typical couples up to a year to concieve, but if you wanted to be super proactive that might be an option!

smo321

I was diagnosed with PCOS without having all the symptons,  my RE put me on Met. and 3 months later I was PG.  I would give it a try, the only side effect you might have is some GI problems.  I actually felt better once I was taking it.  GL to you!!!