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Re: Elevated DHEAS and Hair Growth q for Susan
From: Anne (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 20 Aug 2000 11:37:30 -0500 (CDT)
do you have any websites for info on locah? the only test that comes
back high for me is dheas, so i am curious to read more about it. I did
a search and came up with nothing. thanks for any help.
At Sun, 20 Aug 2000, Susan wrote:
>
>Most all of my test results came back normal, with the exception of
>DHEAS and free and total testosterone. When the doctors seen the DHEAS
>levels (which are way up there), they then started running other tests
>to rule out Late Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (LOCAH). High
>DHEAS levels would indicate that the problem is stemming from your
>adrenal glands and not you ovaries.
>
>LOCAH is also a hereditery disease marked by high androgen levels, high
>anxiety, inability to deal stress, depression, hirsutism, male pattern
>hair loss, acne, infertility (like PCO, some women don't have a problem
>conceiving, though), etc. As you can see alot of the symptoms of PCO
>and LOCAH are the same.
>
>To diagnose LOCAH, they would do a 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) which
>would tell them if you have LOCAH. Most doctors (3 of mine didn't), for
>some reason, don't tell you that this test has to be performed first
>thing in the morning to avoid getting a false-negative. I learned
>through my own research that you have to go to the lab first thing. Roll
>out of bed and GO! Don't move around too much. Because each of the
>times I've had this test done and my results were in that "high gray
>zone", I stongly believe that this test should be administered after an
>overnight stay so that they can get the specimen *before* you get out of
>bed. Sadly, that seems to be unheard of these days. If this test does
>come back elevated then they do a ACTH Stimulation test to determine
>exactly which of the 6 or so enzymes you are deficient in. The most
>common is 21-hydroxylase (90% of cases), 3-beta is next. The doctor
>might also do a dexamethasone suppression test. And if the DHEAS levels
>are high enough, a catscan of your adrenal glands may be ordered, to
>look for adrenal tumors.
>
>Like PCO, LOCAH can go undiagnosed for years and years. If you have
>high levels of DHEAS, LOCAH should definately be considered and ruled
>out.
>
>It is believed that PCO can develop from untreated LOCAH.
>
>As far as the facial hair, some women have had success with the laser,
>other electroysis; some with none. Successful treatment should not be
>expected until your hormones are under control.
>
>Feel free to email...
>
>--
>Susan S.
>
>At Sat, 19 Aug 2000, Mary wrote:
>>
>>I was recently diagnosed with having high levels of DHEAS hormone. My
>>testosterone levels are normal. My gynecologist told me that she feels
>>that I could also have a problem with insulin intolerance and referred
>>me to an endocrinologist. This makes me wonder because I have had three
>>babies, 10 1/2, 11 1/2 and the smallest was 9 lbs 3 oz. All very large
>>babies. Although I never had a problem with conceiving. I've been
>>screened for diabetes and that so far is normal. My only symptom has
>>been abnormal facial hair, which has become quite humiliating for me.
>>Does anyone know of an inexpensive treatment to permanently remove this
>>facial hair? I've been told of laser treatments but I understand this is
>>fairly expensive. Thanks in advance..
>
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