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hey emily. i too was diagnosed late, at 15. You most likely have late-onset, also called nonclassical CAH. this form is more mild and the symptoms do not begin to show up until after puberty. Usually it's stuff like acne or excess body hair that will tip off the doctor to check for it. This kind is different in that you do not feel seriously effected by it unless your stress levels are up. At which point instead of upping the cortisol, your body makes more testosterone. You do not need to be on medication for nonclassical CAH, but it helps control the body hair and other physical symptoms. If you do go on medication for an extended period of time, your illness will become more like Addison's Disease as your adrenals will begin to atrophy. Also you have to watch out for bone deterioration. The other key difference is that nonclassicals are not "salt wasters", so we don't have to worry about the issues that arise with that. Although your doctor may have simply referred to you as having "CAH" not necessarily Late-Onset or Nonclassical, you most likely have the late-onset variety. I know my doctors have always just referred to my illness as CAH without bothering to call it late-onset. But that's what it is. And that's probably what your situation is as well. you can email me if you have any questions you want to ask me.
