EVERYONE SHOULD READ - Re: Almost Diagnosed and confused!
From: tera (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 4 Feb 2002 22:05:34 -0600 (CST)
Hi ladies!
Below is a post by Belle explaining Glucose, insulin levels, etc. and
the testing for it. We should all be writing this info. down so that
when our doctor tests us we can request the results and then have
something to compare them too. There was another post that was posted
not too long ago listing what our other levels should be (hormones
levels, etc.) If someone else knows which one it is, please post the
"address" so that we can all read it again and even commit it to paper.
This is a good way to become proactive with our PCOS and it can also
keep tabs on our changing levels as the years go by. Just an idea...God
bless! Tera
At Mon, 4 Feb 2002, Belle wrote:
>
>I did not forget you. I am sorry to have to make this double post but I
>could not remember the code to make the symbols for the measurement
>units.
>
>Insulin levels should always be between undetectable (usually in a
>fasting state) and 5 - 25 uU/ml (35 to 145 pmol/L in Europe). We do not
>want to see fasting insulin levels over 10 uU/ml but some labs consider
>25 uU/ml to be normal. You can see that this adds to the problem with
>getting diagnosed. The insulin could be "within normal limits" and
>still be too high.
>
>Fasting levels for Glucose is less than 120 mg/dl (< 6.7 mmol/L).
>Normally the fasting level is around 80.
>
>Between 30 min to 1 hour after the glucose solution (sugar drink),
>levels should peak at 160 - 180 mg/dl (8.9 - 10.0 mmol/L)
>
>Glucose should return to fasting levels in 2 to 3 hours.
>
>More important than the numbers though is the correlation between the
>insulin and glucose levels. Insulin should be 1/4 of the glucose levels
>or 1:4 for insulin:glucose. If your levels are close to this, it is
>great. If your levels are 1:2, you may want to discuss this with your
>doctor.
>
>At Mon, 4 Feb 2002, Belle wrote:
>>
>>The ultrasound is kind of a formality. You do not have to have cysts on
>>your ovaries in order to have PCOS, but it is good to have the knowledge
>>about whether you actually have the cysts so you will know if your
>>treatment is working.
>>
>>One of the problems with this syndrome is that our blood work often
>>comes out within normal ranges. Did you have LH and FSH done? They can
>>both be within normal range but still be off. They should be very
>>close. If your LH is much higher than your FSH, it is an indication of
>>PCOS.
>>
>>When you have your Glucose Tolerance test, you should also have your
>>insulin tested at the same time. This means two vials of blood each
>>time you have a stick. I will give you the amounts later, I have to
>>look up the measurment units but generally speaking, for the States,
>>fasting glucose should be below 80, one hour should be below 120 and
>>nothing should be over 200. Between 180 and 200, you are considered
>>borderline.
>>
>>Fasting Insulin should be below 10.
>>
>>That is the best I can do right now. I have to go. Maybe someone else
>>can fill you in more completely, otherwise, I will get back to you
>>during daylight hours. :-)
>>
>>At Sun, 3 Feb 2002, Jessica wrote:
>>>
>>>I went to the Dr the other day and he said he thinks I have PCOS. I
>>>have all of the classic symptoms. (Facial hair, acne, overweight, and
>>>of course irregular periods) I started when I was 11 yrs. old and they
>>>were very regular until I started the 9th grade. Then nothing. My gyn.
>>>said it was probably the stress of a new school and to come back in 3
>>>months. 3 months later I came back still no periods but my dad had a
>>>heart attack in the meantime. He said this was probably the cause of
>>>stress and that I was fine. Fast forward 8 yrs. I have had about 6
>>>periods in this time. Usually during high stress times (high school
>>>graduation, sisters wedding..) Last Wednesday I had a VERY stressful day
>>>at work and of course started. The bleeding was very heavey (3 Tampons
>>>in 2 hours) I went back to the gyn. and he said he thinks I have PCOS.
>>>I had bloodwork and go in for a ultrasound on Tuesday. I got my results
>>>back from the blood work and everything is in the normal range. My dr
>>>didn't order a testosterone test though. I would have thought that was
>>>something he would have wanted. Anyway, I am really confused about the
>>>disese and the diagnosis. Is there a chance I don't have it or is the
>>>ultrasound just a formality? And what are the normal ranges for a
>>>glucose tolerence test? Is there a web page with all of the test results
>>>and stuff on it? Thanks for any help or advise.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Jessica
>>>
>>--
>>Hope this helps,
>>
>>Belle
>>
--
Tera
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