How can you tell the difference, most of the symptoms are the same as peri

I don't have the answer but I would love to know..I wonder the same thing.
Have u been diagnosed with PCOS ?

No I haven't but now I am wondering....hmm.

Well, my gyno actually is thinking that I have PCOS due to a high testorone level and ovaries full of cyst due to anovulation but I have never ever before in my life had any high testosterone levels or cyst until this last year when my cycles started going nuts.I have been pregnant 6 times and never had a problem getting pregnant , in fact it was the opposite, that's when I got my tubes tied in 2000.I have also read that it is not uncommon in the beginning stages of peri for Testosterone to be high due to decreased estrogen and progesterone, I know that testosterone can increase to try and force maturation of the follicles so that we can ovulate.PCOS is caused by elevated blood sugar and elevated insulin levels also and my blood sugar is fine so I am not buying the PCOS diagnosis. I mean I just don't think that it could just pop up out of no where, from what I have read it usually always occurs early on in the teen years. If any one else has info I am would love you thoughts.
God Bless,

My yearly appt is tomorrow. I will ask to be sure.

thanks

Hi Fried,

Ask your doc for testing on LHFSH, DHEAS, SHBG, ANDRO, Insulin, Lipids, TSH, T3, T4, anti-thyroid antibodies......as well as abdominal ultrasound

Yes, it can mimic peri......in symptoms, but the blood will show (usually). I have heard of women with this disorder having symptoms before the blood shows anything awry......yep, typical!

Take good care babe......let us know how you go

Michah

Hi sweet,

Oestrogen directly impacts on the manufacture and levels of testosterone through its interaction with the pituitary/adrenal axis......so if E not good, tes will be up and down as well.....

Just a thought.......may not be PCOS.....but those good ole abdominal ultrasounds and gynea would be good to check every once in a while, just to make sure.....

Take care babe

Michah

Thanks for the advice

Hey Fried:
The adept gyno diagnostician would look at FSH/LH ratios. Typically, if PCOS is the reason for anovulation and/or irregular periods, then the LH to FSH ratio will start to increase and estrogen levels will still be somewhat "normal" (a word I hate). However, if you're entering into peri, then estrogen levels will start to [swing but] eventually decrease and the FSH level will increase. It is VERY possible, especially as you transition into peri or meno, for both conditions to exist simultaneously. In fact, Klaiber, et. al have reported that the women who have higher testosterone levels appear to be the women who have a more difficult time with the menopausal transition.
Av

i

Elevated testosterone in women can exist for many different reasons. An association with "Syndrome x" is just one. About half of the testosterone in our bodies is produced by the adrenals and half by the ovaries. When there is an excess, it is important to determine cause..it can be anything from ovaries responding to LH (as in both peri and PCOS) to something as rare and scary as thecal cell or adrenal tumors.

I would add testosterone panel (free, % free, total), estrogen panel, and specify that the T3/T4 (at least to start) be free/unbound. A hemoglobin a1c is also helpful AND while insulin/glucose (fasting) won't show glucose control issues early on, a post-prandial glucose/insulin may, if elevated, provide some clues.

Ok well thanks everyone! I went to my gyno and I forgot to ask..gee. But I am having blood work done so maybe that will answer my question.


be strong