Thank you, thank you thank for answering me!!
My RE is performing the following tests: 17-OHP, DHEAs, Testosterone, Prolactin, pregnancy test.
Kat - I questioned my Reproductive Endocrinologist about the tests he ordered because he didn't tell me a specific time to have any of them done. He said it didn't matter what time of day or month, which confused me, but I'm going to assume he knows what he's doing :(
I feel that my PCOS is not caused by insulin problems because I weigh 106lbs and I'm 5'0". . Granted, before any of my symptoms appeared, my normal healthy weight was 93lbs. When all this started at the age of 20 I gained about 15lbs in 2 months. I didn't have too many issues with my menses until I was put on Megace ES (megestrerol acetate) cause my stupid doctor didn't like the fact I was naturally thin. Anyway, I do have low blood sugar (most of the time it's in the high 60s; low 70s) I have to eat like every two hours or I feel like I'm going to pass out....but I also have low electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, EXTREMELY low phosphorus) despite the fact I eat a lot, take supplements....Despite all of that many PCOS women feel so much better after they lose weight....but I'm very thin (despite my rapid central body fat increase) and I am just not seeing a connection there.
I wonder if my constantly low electrolytes have anything to do with my issue, whatever it may be.I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have about what I've learned on the PCOS message boards, I have been doing a LOT of homework on PCOS.
Megan - It was indeed a baseline test of the 17-OHP, no ACTH stimulation was done. I will definitely mention this to my RE. (reproductive endo).
So far the tests I've done were two Prolactins - one was 36 (high) but it was done when I first woke up at 2pm. Endo wanted it done in the morning, I didn't make it. Mornings for me are spent shaking with what feels like rushes of adrenaline. I did retake the Prolactin, this time at 2pm and it was 19 - normal. I also had ACTH w/ early morning Cortisol done when I first woke up (again at noon) which came back normal.
I then decided to pay $300.00 for a saliva test last summer.... results were...
Estradiol - High, Progesterone, Low-normal (I was using progesterone cream), Testosterone was 30, and then there was the Cortisol, which was mildly low.
I hope all that answers your questions, and I'm really really sorry for typing so much! It's just that my doctors want to pass me off as a hopeless PCOS case that just doesn't respond to treatment...
Too bad there isn't a test to see where the excess androgen is coming from. I was shocked to know my saliva Testosterone was normal, considering how much cystic acne I've become plauged with over the past two years.
