Understanding (PCOS?) and diet structure - Grr!

grrl77

Hi there!

I'm in sort of an interesting situation. I've battled weight issues my whole life, and I remember when I was 16, my periods and hormones seemed to get really out of whack. I never had any testing done, but my periods went from being fairly regular, to pretty much nonexistent. I had a bit of hersutism (excessive facial hair) happening, and I guess I just figured at the time, it was weight related and I was a growing teenager. When I was 25, I went to a gynecologist, who, after blood work, told me I had higher levels of testosterone, and that coupled with the excessive hair, weight, and irregularity of my cycles, labeled it as PCOS. I was put on Metformin and birth control pills. I stopped taking the Metformin after awhile (the side effects were killer!) and stayed on birth control pills (Yasmin) until I wound up getting a blood clot a few years ago, and couldn't take it anymore. That pretty much brings us to today.

This last week, I had blood work done to check everything. When I talked to this new doctor I'm seeing, she couldn't understand why I was on Metformin. I just thought that's a drug the doctor gave you if you were diagnosed with PCOS. She'd asked me if I had planned on getting pregnant during that time, which wasn't at all why I was on it. So get this. My blood sugars came back normal. Testosterone? Normal. (I still have the excess hair under my chin, but I'm wondering if that's because the hair follicles have already grown for so long they'll just keep showing up? No idea.) I've never actually had an internal ultrasound done to see if there were cysts on my ovaries. My sister's a nurse, and she advised that PCOS has a lot to do with jacked up hormone levels - mine seem to be within a normal range. I am a little bit insulin resistant, though - normal was between 16-26, I believe, and I was at a 27, which threw me into the 'high' category even though it's just a point.

At this point in the game, I'm just kind of wondering if what I have is PCOS, or, if all this might be weight-related. My mom's never had PCOS as far as I know, she's always been regular. (I've heard it's hereditary.) There is a history of diabetes in my family, but again, my sugars are normal, though I am a bit insulin resistant. My doctor suggested I come in for a two hour glucose tolerance test to check the resistance.

I'm confused by all this. For six years, I've walked around thinking I have PCOS, but my hormones have seemed to balance out. I'm 304.4 lbs at 5'3", and I'm 32 years old. I'm working on losing weight, I'm eating healthy, exercising, and so I'm wondering if all that's going on is just everything being out of whack because of weight.

I've heard all sorts of things about low carb really working for people who are insulin resistant, and I was hoping to get examples of things people doing a lower-carb lifestyle eat, on a day to day basis that helps? I'm a fan of salads, but I've noticed that my iced grande mocha (non-fat, no whip) has *45 grams of carbs.* It's been recommended by people to stay under 100 grams per day, so that kind of blew me out of the water.

Any information you guys could provide on this topic would be fantastic! I plan on having a more indepth discussion with my doctor about PCOS, because a.) I don't even know if I have that if my hormones are normal, and b.) it seems like it can encompass many different facets of your health. It's just hard to tell what's what.

Thanks in advance, guys! xxoo

- Jenn

NYIceQueen

I have PCOS, so I'll add my input.

I was put on Metformin also for the PCOS because I didn't want to go on the pill. She started me on 500 mg twice a day, and that helped a great deal. My sugars were always good, though, so it was a fine line between being ok and sugars being too low. I found that if I took it around meals then I was fine.

I also had major testosterone issues, and they put me on Spironolactone (which is normally given to heart patients, I found out). Again, this helped bring those levels under control and cut down on some of the hirsutism.

My hormone levels have been both normal and jacked up. PCOS can come in all stages....I mean, I have it, I have cysts on one ovary only, but I got pregnant ultra fast each time.

as far as heredity, that can only go so far -- my mom didn't have PCOS either, but found out a great aunt did. No one has lupus in my family, but I've got it, and it tends to run in families.

Just stay on top of your blood tests and your follow ups. They'll tweak things as needed :-)

As far as diet...PCOS is one of those "screw you" problems -- as in your body saying "screw you" for wanting to lose weight. It's a total fight. But there are others on here that have lost quite a bit while fighting PCOS so just look around and you'll see some good hints/advice on food.

Good luck!

marielenrdz

I'm not sure how this might help you, but you mentioned that you wondered whether your menstrual issues were just weight related. Several years ago, at my highest weight of 235lbs (5'2"), my periods became non-existent. I can't remember if I had facial hair issues beyond what we normally go through, but I do remember that my gyno suggested that my weight could be stopping my ovulation and therefore, my menstruation. He explained it to me, but I don't quite remember the details. When I started to lose weight, I became regular again. That's just my experience, not sure how it might help you, though.

sassykimann

Hi there

I was diagnosed with PCOS just this year and immediatly went about finding out all about it. I have always been overweight and decided to go low carb. I went on a really restrivctive diet and lost 77 pounds ( I was under 30 carbs a day). I have since stopped because we are trying to conceive and I need all the nutrients I can get so Im still doing low carb (under 100 carbs) but am getting those carbs from fruits, veggies and dairy instead of breads, pastas etc. I feel amazing and have energy to run my 5km almost daily and 1.5 hour workouts. I still have 4o pounds to go to hit my goal but realize that may be put on hold if we suceed in getting pregnant.

if you have any questions about what I eat etc pls feel free to ask me

countrygirl75

I had an ultra sound done, and the cysts were there. I had all my blood work, and other tests done. I have normal levels. i do not know if I am insulin resistance or not. I have normal cycles, 29-31. This month because of a dramatic change I have been late. I took test nothing. But I am choosing to stay 100 carbs under. I have the face hair, overweight, hormonal problems, but nothing shows insulin problems. I do how ever have family history diabetes. My mom had no PCOS, or grandma, but they both had hysterectomies for fibroids. I am still working my plans out on diet and exercise. My doc said diet, exercise, and lower stress.