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Re: Hair loss
From: Kay (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 31 May 2000 06:43:34 -0500 (CDT)
Teresa~~We sound alot alike. Your doctor is getting a good start on
testing, testing various hormone levels, etc., but PCOS stems from a
problem with how insulin is handled by our bodies, thus causing other
hormones to go haywire, resulting in all of the cosmetic problems you
mentioned. BTW--the skin discoloration is also common in PCOS. You may
ask him if he'll run an IGTT (insulin/glucose tolerance test)also, which
tests insulin AND glucose levels while fasting and at various other
intervals after drinking a sugary drink. This is the main problem
(insulin resistance) that needs to be addressed in PCOS, since it can
lead to diabetes, heart disease, etc.
Let us know how things go for you.
Blessings....
Kay
At Tue, 30 May 2000, Teresa wrote:
>
>I have not been Dx. with PCOS (yet) I am 37, have two kids and have
>been healthy up till after the birth of my daughter 6 years ago. After
>her birth I noticed hair loss. Everyone said it was normal after having
>a baby...but it has been 6 years. In the last several years my period
>started getting HEAVY and clotty. It would range from every 25-38 days.
>I noticed an increase of facial hair (something I've battled since my
>teen years) as well as hair loss on my head. I first noticed my hair
>brush, and bathroom counters. Then I noticed just washing my hair in
>the shower and the hair loss was amazing. I have no bald spots/or
>patches. It is an overall thinning. I asked my gyn. about the
>possiblility of an hormonal imbalance. He did a pelvic, and pap. Said
>the pap came back normal and that "hormonal imbalances" were rare. I
>went to my primary care doc just 3 weeks ago. He is going to run
>bloodwork: TSH, LH, FSH, CBC and Prolactin levels. Can anyone here
>please tell me if he is testing as a suspicion of PCOS? I also have some
>possible adrenal issues: hyper pigmentation on my face. He said adrenal
>problems could over produce androgen hormones. He said he wanted to see
>what these other tests revealed first. He said he wanted to rule out
>thyroid and or iron deficiency. Anyone here more experienced with
>doctors/testing please advise???
>
>--
>Teresa
>
>--
>Susan,
> I can relate to your message! I am "mildly hypothyroid" just found out less than 6 months ago. I KNEW something was not right. Had to beg, beg and beg for the tests. I was shocked to find out I was still within "normal" limits. My doctor agreed to try me on a very low dose of thyroid hormone. It has helped but not completely. It has only been recently that I began to research PCOS. Looking back I have had "hormonal issues" since puberty (like the facial hair thing) I never even knew there was a name for this till recently...despite repeated complaints to my doctor as well as my ob/gyn. I will certainly have to fight to get any tests done I am sure. However, the entire endocrine system is complex and very interconnected. When something is amiss...it effects the other glands too, pitutary, adrenals, ovaries, etc. Hang in there. In good health,
>Teresa
>
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