Herb:

My daughter Amanda was diagnoses with late onset CAH at the age of 16. Her symptoms were: facial and body hair and irregular periods. The endo first thought she had polycystic ovaries. the first blood test he did had to be drawn early in the morning. The results indicated that she did not have polycystic ovaries. He then did a 60 minute ACTH stimulation test. That test showed that she had CAH. She has been taking dexamethasone, birth control pills and spironolactone. The first turns off her adrenal glands that were producing cortisol bout also too much testosterone. The bitht control pills regulate her periods, which were still irregular on the dex. The last one, spironolactone, has helped with her facial and body hair.She also just got a Rx for Vaniqa. It is a new cream that blocks an enzyme in the hair follicle. She is waiting for her new insurance to take effect to see if it will cover the Vaniqa since it costs about $50 for a small tube.

I hope my daughter's histor has helped you. We never heard of CAH until Amanda was diagnosed. We are Askenazi Jews, and I have discovered that we have a very high rate of carriers of the gene in that population.

Good luck in your quest to help your daughter. She is lucky to have a Dad like you.

Amandasmom