Re: Elevated DHEAS and Hair Growth - Anne
From: Susan (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 20 Aug 2000 21:05:45 -0500 (CDT)
Anne,
Sorry I don't know how to link but here are some of the addresses that I
have:
http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/3532/
http://pedsendo.med.cornell.edu/new.html
http://www.insidetheweb.com/mbs.cgi/mb199541
http://www.aafp.org/afp/990301ap/1190.html
Hope these help. There isn't a heck of alot of information out there
about the "Late Onset" type of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Most of
the information you find will be about the "Classical" form. The
classical form is almost always diagnosed at birth and is much more
serious.
--
Susan S.
At Sun, 20 Aug 2000, Anne wrote:
>
>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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