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Re: Question about a conflict between blood levels and symptoms
From: Jessica (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 7 Feb 2002 01:06:28 -0600 (CST)
Thanks, Sally, I'll persist and try not to get discouraged. I
appreciate the encouragement.
Jessica
At Wed, 6 Feb 2002, Sally wrote:
>
>Hi Jessica,
>
>Sounds like you are on the right track. Some people taking metformin
>begin to see obvious results almost immediately. Others can take some
>months, and then have only slow progress. For a very few people, it
>does not make a big difference (though I am assuming it helps with other
>health issues other than the weight - and that is also important).
>
>For me, before I found it extremely difficult to lose weight, even with
>very low cal diet. Now using that same diet I am slowly losing weight.
>I don't know what will happen if I eat a more normal amount - I am very
>scared that I would gain weight again - however I will have to
>experiment with how much I can eat whilst maintaining my weight later
>when I reduce the dieting. So I guess that weight will always be an
>issue for me, but at least now it is something that I can affect with
>diet.
>
>However, you have been on the met only for two weeks. Give it a chance.
>Even if you lost only 1 or 2 pounds a month, that is still a big amount
>over a year...... so persist and be happy with yourself because it
>sounds like you are doing everything right. Key is that you are getting
>healthier and though the weight bothers you health is more important
>than anything else. Have you read Samuel Thatcher's Book PCOS - the
>hidden epidemic. I really recommend it. It has a big section about
>weight and body image, etc.
>
>Not everyone has stomach problems taking metformin, I also had no
>problem. It is important for people not to get scared about met becuase
>some people have no bad reaction and some people it is only minor and
>quickly resolves.
>
>Be patient and keep up the good work.
>
>--
>Sally
>
>At Wed, 6 Feb 2002, Jessica wrote:
>>
>>Sally,
>>
>>Thanks for the info. I am taking 1000 mg/day of metformin. A few
>>people scared me before I started taking it that I would get so sick for
>>a while but I have had absolutely no problems whatsoever--just a very
>>slight uncomfortable feeling in my stomach the first day and that's it!
>>How have other people out there reacted to it?
>>
>>My TSH level was 1.7 so that is fine.
>>
>>Just wondering, does anyone have an idea how long it should be before I
>>start noticing a response to the metformin? I've only been on it two
>>weeks so far.
>>
>>Thanks again,
>>Jessica
>>
>>At Wed, 6 Feb 2002, Sally wrote:
>>>
>>>Hi Jessica,
>>>
>>>Actually, it is not a conflict, but rather quite a common finding. Also
>>>test levels can be within 'normal' range but still be abnormal pattern
>>>or relationship between tests. This takes a very experienced dr. to
>>>pick. My results were also all within normal but the patterns were out
>>>(ie. ratio between LH and FSH)and some results were at low end of
>>>normal and others high end - yet my endo says I have a classic case.
>>>With regards to the insulin resistance - it is actually very hard to
>>>detect and drs who are in the know actually beleive that all persons
>>>with PCOS have some level of insulin resistance. Just may not be
>>>detectable using current methods.
>>>
>>>It is good that you got metformin and you should see some benefits from
>>>using it - what dose did the dr give you? You may need to experiment
>>>with doses from 500 mg/day up to 2000 mg/day. Whatever level you get a
>>>good response at (even if it 500 mg/day)and feel well at is your optimal
>>>dose. Also remember that a higher dose is not necessarily a better
>>>dose. If you get results that should convince your Dr. to let you
>>>continue with it. If he doesn't probably you should look for a new dr.
>>>with better experience in treating PCOS. Ladies on this forum could
>>>possibly help.
>>>
>>>Using metformin helps many of us. It could also help you with the
>>>weight issues - particualrly as you already exercise and eat healthy -
>>>as it allows your body to handle insulin & sugars better. In addition
>>>some people find that a lower carbohydrate diet is also helpful.
>>>
>>>Did your Dr. check you for thyroid function. This is also quite
>>>common. The TSH levels should be between 1 - 2.
>>>
>>>I am not sure that antiandrogen medication can help with wieght. I am
>>>using diane-35 (cyproterone acetate) in addition to metformin. My endo
>>>actually did not encourage me to use this as she said it can result in
>>>increase in weight.
>>>
>>>Please ask whatever questions you want. Also there are plenty of links
>>>on this forum so go ahead and research as well.
>>>
>>>Let us know how you go witht he metformin.
>>>
>>>--
>>>Sally
>>>
>>>At Wed, 6 Feb 2002, Jessica wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Hi, I'm new to this forum and am hoping to get some insight. My doctor
>>>>thinks I may have PCOS because of high LH/FSH levels, as well as a lot
>>>>of the symptoms. I also had fasting insulin and glucose levels taken,
>>>>and androgen levels, which he says are normal. I can't understand how
>>>>those levels could be normal when I have had acne problems since I was
>>>>11 (I'm almost 38), and I've had problems with reactive hypoglycemia for
>>>>years. I've had irregular periods ever since I was 16 when they started
>>>>(I could never calendar my periods like my friends could), but I never
>>>>worried about anything until I started having rapid weight gain this
>>>>past year even with exercising an hour a day (I've done that for YEARS)
>>>>and eating vegetables, high fiber grains, and drinking lots of water.
>>>>The weight gain has gotten me into the doctors trying to figure things
>>>>out and PCOS is the first glimpse of light I have had into understanding
>>>>anything. He doesn't think glucophage is necessary for me because my
>>>>insulin levels were normal (I don't know the actual numbers--maybe I
>>>>should ask). He is letting me try it for a little while however. I am
>>>>so depressed because I have been small and in control of my weight my
>>>>whole life until recently, and it's all I can think about now. It's
>>>>consuming my whole life. I guess one of my questions is--should I have
>>>>him retake the blood levels, or can you have the symptoms without the
>>>>high blood levels? I also wonder if anti-androgen medication helps with
>>>>the weight at all.
>>>>Thanks to any who have advice.
>>>
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