PCOS + Elevated Testosterone

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Bones_206
Bones_206 Posts: 4 Member
Hi there,

I am writing a post because I see a lot of individuals on here who are battling PCOS and have elevated estrogen levels. I am on the other end of this, in that my estrogen level is low, and my testosterone levels are high. Is there anyone else out there also battling this? Is there any major differences for us dealing with high testosterone. I'm currently taking metformin 500mg 3x's a day, Desogen birth control to balance the hormones, and Vitamin D as I just found out we with the PCOS are more likely to be vitamin D/B12 deficient. I know I have pendulum mood swings, elevated testosterone make me more prone to anger outbursts. In the upside I lost 65 pounds on my own by whole foods eating, working out 6 days a week, and looking for others to keep me on a positive path.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Replies

  • kimimila86
    kimimila86 Posts: 424
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    Hey! I can identify with you. My estrogen is considered acceptable, but my testosterone is out of range at the high end as well. I find that I'm prone to outbursts as well, and body hair.. eww! I read somewhere that women with PCOS would benefit from strength training. Not looking to bulk up? Don't take steroids :smile:

    Add me if you'd like!
  • ThriftyChica12
    ThriftyChica12 Posts: 373 Member
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    i am high androgen as well. currently not taking any meds, hoping to research herbal PCOS treatments soon. also a clean eater, and vegan. my weight loss has been slow, but i am determined. just started strength training last week, so hopefully that helps my hormones, among many other benefits. :)
  • Jaxie1231
    Jaxie1231 Posts: 24 Member
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    Spironolactone lowered my testosterone significantly. It also made my excess hair growth go away PERMANRNTLY. My endo said some people experience that if they are on it a long time. Well I was on it for almost 10 years with BC pills then stopped to become pregnant and lo and behold it is so much better than it used to be. I don't plan on even taking it anymore because it's honestly not that bad anymore! Now I take Metformin, that is it for now.
  • Bones_206
    Bones_206 Posts: 4 Member
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    Thanks for all the information. I was on spirinlactone for a couple of years but I saw know change in my hair growth. But, you're saying the longer I am on it the better the results? Because I may go back to it.
  • kvandeman
    kvandeman Posts: 527 Member
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    I used to tell my husband that I was more of a man than he was because of my testosterone levels. The only thing I am currently taking is birth control to regulate my cycles. I was on Metformin and Spironolactone for years but neither seemed to have much effect. Oh well.
  • ZiezieO
    ZiezieO Posts: 228 Member
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    Lol, I feel like a total grumpy old man some days! My dr put me on BC to bring up my estrogen levels and my testosterone levels relaxed a bit. However, I can relate to feeling like I get much more of a temper than my other lady friends. I also can say that my hips and shoulders are much more masculine of a bone structure. Idk if this is from having more testosterone, but when I started taking BC to bring up my estrogen, I gained weight in my hips and now look more lady-like :flowerforyou:
  • Bubbaluh
    Bubbaluh Posts: 39 Member
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    This is a reassuring thread, my testosterone levels came back normal even though i have excessive hair growth (chin, random spouts of hair on my shoulders and abit on my belly) but my endo told me that the testosterone can be all throughout your body and not just in your blood stream.. also does anyone else find they have quiet a heighted sex drive?
    Im also on my third day of Metformin so far so good. As for a temper sometimes i fight my brothers just because im that agressive ahaha oh lord, I try to be a lady.
    Also ive had 7-8 rounds of ISP with no results but i guess i cant expect much!
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
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    Hi there,

    I am writing a post because I see a lot of individuals on here who are battling PCOS and have elevated estrogen levels. I am on the other end of this, in that my estrogen level is low, and my testosterone levels are high. Is there anyone else out there also battling this? Is there any major differences for us dealing with high testosterone. I'm currently taking metformin 500mg 3x's a day, Desogen birth control to balance the hormones, and Vitamin D as I just found out we with the PCOS are more likely to be vitamin D/B12 deficient. I know I have pendulum mood swings, elevated testosterone make me more prone to anger outbursts. In the upside I lost 65 pounds on my own by whole foods eating, working out 6 days a week, and looking for others to keep me on a positive path.

    Hope to hear from you soon.

    I also have pcos with low estrogen and high testosterone levels was finally diagnosed this month i am at the moment on metformin 2x 500mg per day for 1 more week then also 3x500mg per day and provera to balance the hormons i did not want proper birthcontrol due to taking it from 13-18 then stopping and thats when my pcos sympthoms went skyrocking.
    I know what you mean with mood swings sometimes i feel sorry for my boyfriend because i completly flip out again over nothing but he knows i have this condition and that i dont mean it so he luckily just shrugs it off.
    I am sticking to a whole food low carb no dairy products (laktose intolerant and so many hormons in milk) and exercise 6 times a week including strenght training witch is really good for our high testosterone ;) so far i only lost 18 lbs but i am only at the beginning of my new life
  • nabzilla_uk
    nabzilla_uk Posts: 45 Member
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    hey there, my testosterone level is very slightly high. the only thing I'm currently taking is metformin 500mg three times a day. I have managed to lose some weight but haven't re-checked my levels. I don't think they have changed much, I'm a real ogre when I'm approaching my Tom. I'd never thought about it till I read this post but it's possibly the elevated levels. I don't really want to take anything else as I'm trying to conceive. My sister had very high levels and took an anti-androgen for several years. she had bad facial hair, which is now almost non-existent.
  • pland54
    pland54 Posts: 132
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    Yes, it's typical to have high androgen hormones with PCOS. In fact, it is one of the criteria and sometimes they won't make a diagnosis without that part.

    My androgens are extremely high, and I went through tons of birth control pills trying to find one that worked for me. They just didn't cut it. Now I'm on Belara (a birth control/anti-androgen pill) and 5mg of Androcur every day. It really seems to be helping me but it has only been a month or so on this combo.

    Have you seen a hormonal specialist? This might be especially important for you if you are having behavioral issues that you think are related to testosterone.