|
Re: How much DHEA is too much?
From: Monique (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sun, 31 Mar 2002 20:36:19 -0600 (CST)
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for the response. My doctor is my OBGYN. He has put me on
glucophage (500 daily) and aldectone. We have not discussed Cushing's,
we have talked about adrenal gland tumors, but he says if that were the
case I would have high blood pressure (have always had great blood
pressure!)...I was on the glucophage for two months when we re-checked
the blood...he was just as surprised with the results as I was. That
prompted him to take another look at my ovary (it is my left, the right
one is normal)...that is when he saw the two calcifications. I believe
he thinks it might be a dermoid cyst or a taratoma (not quite sure what
that one is). From what he tells me there should not be any calcium in
my ovary (duh!) and it might be bone or teeth...sound gross uh! But the
thing that has me stumped is the DHEA. I haven't seen any info on it
being that elevated. They say 400 is normal and 800 is high...mine is
off the charts! He is a very good doctor though...the first day I saw
him I told him of my constant PMS, inability to lose weight, fatigue,
muscle weakness...and he immediately suspected PCOS. I will have to do
some research on the Cushings...thanks so much for the input...will keep
checking back! Monique
At Sun, 31 Mar 2002, Valerie wrote:
>
>Did they also test you for Cushing's? (Cushing's is differentiated from
>PCOS by elevated Cortisol levels... until Cortisol is tested, PCOS
>looks very similar) Your DHEA is quite high! Remember, BCP's are NOT A
>TREATMENT, they are prescribed to mask symptoms, and may even make your
>condition worse. If BCP's are your only treatment I would throw quite a
>hissy fit... ou need to get onto Glucophage (a.k.a Metformin) if you
>indeed have PCOS as opposed to Cushing's. If your doctor did not test
>for Cushing's and is giving no other "treatment" than BCP's then I would
>advise running to another ASAP!!! BCP's are the lazy doctor's "answer"
>to PCOS and are designed to get you out of their hair, but there is no
>real benefit to you... and if you are on triphasic BCP's, STOP
>IMMEDIATELY as they can do more damage than good. Is the docotr you are
>seeing an endocrinologist? If so, then I would be highly disappointed in
>him/her...if you are not seeing an endocrinologist, then you need to get
>to one ASAP- and don't take NO for an answer... FIGHT FOR YOUR
>RIGHTS...Good Luck!
>
>--
>ValerieC
>
>At Sun, 31 Mar 2002, Monique wrote:
>>
>>I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS. I have most of the
>>symptoms...IR,fatigue, mood swings(major), aggression, weight gain, hair
>>loss where you want it, hair growth where you don't... etc etc! Here is
>>my question...first blood work came back with a DHEA level of 1144, I
>>was put on birth control and re-checked two months later...DHEA came
>>back at 1920..how high is too high? There is one cyst that has two
>>calcifications on it and now I will be scheduled for laproscopic surgery
>>to take a look at it...size is less than 1cm (evidently too small for a
>>CT or MRI). Any one else have DHEA levels that elevated? Any info would
>>be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Monique
>
|
|
![[ PCOS Discussion Forums ]](../../images/pcos_at_obgyn.gif)