ValerieHi, this is my first post to this site. I am a 33 y/o female. All my life I’ve know something was wrong, but my small town Dr.’s ignored me.
Our town just got our first Endo Dr. She doesn’t speak good English and I can’t understand anything she says to me. I read my chart notes and this is what she dictated in my file:
She feels I have late onset CAH due to my elevated DHEA-S, hirsutism, acne, menstral irregularity (pain and passing out with menses also - maybe due to a tipped uterus), mother became infertil after I was born (she almost lost me), short-stature (5’2") and because I had an enlongated labia surgically removed at age 15. The Dr. did not want to cut it off because he felt is was not a cancer issue. I was not sexually active at age 15 and simply wished to look normal in the girls locker room. Now, as an adult, I wish I had not done it because when I swell during sexual arrousal it is painful at the site of the surgery. (ie - the Dr. removed to much of the skin).
I have been reading your posts with interest. I didn’t even know what this disease was. I now feel fortunate that I have a very mild form of this disease. I still need lots of education and I’m mostly interested in herbs at treatment options. I want this unwanted hair to go away. Any advice? I saw a post on Saw Palmento for hirsutism. Anyone know how much to take and how safe it is?
My Dr. wants to run more labs a few days post menstration and then start me on 3 months of Dexamethasone followed by Spironolactone to block the testosterone. Does anyone have any feedback on this method of treatment. I’m a bit worried about taking these drugs as I’ve heard they are high rist drugs. Is this information accurate?
The labs I will be taking (some are repeats) are: 17-hydroxyprogesterone, prolactin, LH, FSH, DHEAS and Testosterone levels, Fasting blood glucose, C-Peptide insulin level, estradoil test, FTI and TSH. These are to be done fasting and a few days post menstration. Does anyone know about any of these test - like what is she looking for and whatever else?
My chart says my DHEA-S is 560H, Testosterone 50 and Estradoil 45. Does anyone know what these scores mean?
Also, any links to websites that would be helpful would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Valerie