Re: How much DHEA is too much?
From: Valerie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 1 Apr 2002 00:53:59 -0600 (CST)
Hmmm... good doctor or not, I would say you need an endocrinologist and
he should refer you there. As my GOOD DOCTOR ENDOCRINOLOGIST SAYS
"there are chemical aspects to PCOS and those are MY specialty, then
there are anatomical considerations that are your gynecologists
concern." One thing that I find a little strange is that your Gluc dose
is 500 per day... though it is wise to climb to a clinically
appropriate dose slowly, by 2 months I would think you should be on a
higher dose. I was prescribed 500mg in the morning and 500 in the
evening (I am slowly getting there) but it is my understanding that
1000mg per day is a low end clinical dose.... either way, chemical
disorders and chemical regulation is not a gyno thing... endocrinology
specializes in body chemicals and if I were you I would not put up with
his chemistry play, you really need someone who specializes because your
DHEA is REAL HIGH and needs to be appropriately addressed ASAP! (My GP
is a good dotor too, but I had to specifically request to see an
endocrinologist and then answer my insurance when they initially turned
it down). Cushing's, which is almost identical in symptomatic
manifestation to PCOS, is a very serious disease and should be ruled out
by an endocrinologist ASAP (Cushing's relates to adrenal tumors) and
your Gyn, though well intentioned as he might be, is truly stepping out
of his specialty and scope... the human body is complex and that is why
there are so many specialties in med school... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE- I
AM WORRIED ABOUT YOU, get to an endocrinologist before other body
systems are disturbed by this... if your GYN is truly a good doctor
then he will respect your requesting a specialist...
Until then, you will be in my thoughts
--
ValerieC
At Sun, 31 Mar 2002, Monique wrote:
>
>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
>>
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