search:

Re: treatment of PCOS without insulin resistance

From: Michele (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 24 Jun 2000 16:59:34 -0500 (CDT)


Andrea, are you sure you meant fasting glucose was normal, not fasting insulin? The fasting glucose test does not tell you if you are insulin resistant. It tells you what your blood sugar levels are. Which determines whether you have diabetes if high or hypoglycemia if its low. In order to determine "insulin resistance" or hyperinsulinemia (the medical term for this) you must have a fasting insulin test or an a glucose tolerance test with insulin done. If these come back normal then you don't have insulin resistance yet. If she put you bcp because your irregular and aldactone for the hair and acne, it is because this had been the way most people were treated, because it was not yet understood that the underlying cause of pcos is mostly likely the failure of the insulin mechanism. These drugs help symptoms, which is fine, but they do not get to the root cause of pcos which is a failure of the body to use it's insulin properly.

It is important that you find out through the tests I mentioned above if you do have hyperinsulinemia (use this term, it is more doctoreze then insulin resistance), because this condition can lead to hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and infertility. If it isn't treated you will continue to get sicker inspite of the bcp and aldactone. Just so you know my fasting glucose was normal also, but my fasting insulin was 56. Glucophage treats the hyperinsulinemia the other meds don't. Hope this helps! If you read the forum there are several good web sites that can give you more info.

At Sat, 24 Jun 2000, Andrea wrote: >
>Hi everyone. Even though I have PCOS and my dad has type II diabetes,
>my fasting glucose level is normal, so I don't have insulin resistance.
>When I was diagnosed with PCOS, my endocrinologist barely told me
>anything about it, so I'm wondering why she prescribed me the Pill and
>Aldactone. From what I've read here on the internet, Glucophage
>(metformin) seems to be a promising treatment of PCOS. But in the case
>of PCOS, is it only prescribed to those with insulin resistance?? I'd
>much rather work at the root of the problem than just the symptoms. I'm
>wary of giving suggestions to my doctor especially if I don't know what
>I'm talking about. I just have this feeling that she is outdated. For
>one thing, she prescribed the Pill in which she said to start on the 5th
>day of my cycle (rather than the standard 1st day or following Sunday).
>When I asked the pharmacist, she said that starting on the 5th day used
>to be thought as a more effective way, but that belief no longer holds
>true. Then what's up with my endocrinologist?
>
>--
>Andrea
>

--
michele



recommended search...
Google
OBGYN.net forums endometriosis zone Web

use when must restrict search to only the pcos medication forum...
Enter search keywords:
Returns per screen: Require all keywords:
Return to [ PCOS Discussion Forums ] Technical Problems: webmaster@obgyn.net
Last Updated: Mon May 19 16:22:02 2008

home | medical professionals | women | industry | forums | international
e-mail | about us | advertising | our sponsors | contact us | disclaimer |

This information is provided for educational purposes only.
Please read the disclaimer. ©1996-2008, all rights reserved.
Do not reproduce without permission of MediSpecialty.com