Re: PCOS/Thyroid Surgery (1/2 removed)
From: Sally (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 5 Apr 2002 03:40:10 -0600 (CST)
Hi
Dear Dede
You have hypothryoid and it is good that you are being treated. You
should notice that you feel much better about 4 - 6 weeks after starting
the replacement thyroid.
What you have experienced is quite common. Many doctors, including
endocrinologists and gynecologists are not up to date with PCOS. Results
which they consider normal may actually be considered abnormal by a more
knowledgeable doctor. My first gynecologist told me all my results were
normal based on blood tests - despite my reported symptoms, yet based on
those very same results and a more detailed history a second doctor (my
current endocrinologist doctor) diagnosed me with hypothyroid and
'Classic" PCOS.
And yes, it sounds like you may have PCOS from your lab results - though
of course your new dr will rule out other possible causes. Diagnosis of
PCOS is based on a whole constellation of symptoms, and the hormone
results show subtle abnormalities (ie within 'normal' range - which by
the way, may not actually be normal). So the knowledgeable doctor looks
for a pattern of results, like certain levels are high and other certain
levels may be low, and for LH and FSH she looks for the ratio.
It sounds like you have struck gold with your PA. Go with her, she
sounds knowledgeable and that she will also be assertive for your proper
care.
Best wishes
--
Sally
At Fri, 5 Apr 2002, DeDe wrote:
>
>I am 31 and have had 6 pregnancies. One died of SIDS, and one eptopic
>pregnancy, 4 living children.
>I had 1/2 of my thyroid removed due to the fact of having a very
>enlarged parathyroid and nodular right side of my thyroid.
>I recently went to Reno area to an Endo. She did a total hormone blood
>check on me to check for PCOS because I have hirituism and other signs
>of it.
>My blood levels were:
>Prolactin 8.0 Normal Non-pregnant (1.2 - 30)
>Estradiol (E2) 161 with a calculated 124 I don't understand the normals
>but Mid cycle is what I was and the normal for that is 94-108
>Leutinizing Hormone 6.3 normal midcycle is 18.1-21.7
>FSH 3 normal midcycle is 5-21
>Testosterone 73 normal 14-76
>Insulin 6.1 normal 0-20
>DHEA S 191.7 normal is 52-400
>
>At the beginning of this report it said "Patient to return for following
>test(s)
>Insulin and DHEAS
>
>My Endo had her nurse call me and say that my hormones were fine and to
>return in 3 months for a repeat visit on my thyroid. Then I had
>tonsilitis and ear infections so I went to my PA here in Nevada that I
>normally go to. She requested ALL of my records so that she could
>follow my thyroid levels and be aware of everything once my Endo
>released me to be in my PA's care. 3 Days after she got all of the
>records, she called me and said she didn't like my hormone results and
>told me that she wanted me to take a repeat on some of them, but said
>that if they came out the same or worse than the ones that the endo ran,
>that I had PCOS. My 2nd tests came back as:
>FSH 3.9 normal Midcycle is 3.4 - 33.4
>LH 7.6 normal Midcycle 8.7-76.3
>Cortisol 12.6 normal3.1-22.4
>Testosterone 89 normal 14-76
>
>Once she got these results she called me and told me that I need to go
>to a gyn, which I have an appointment for the 8th of April/ I asked why
>my endo didn't think the same and she said she didn't know but she was
>going to take it over and have someone else look at the results.
>
>Do these results look to be a normal PCOS patients results? Or could it
>be something to do with my thyroid? My TSH was 11.8 with a normal of
>.34-5.6 and my Free T4 was .9 with normal of .7-1.5, I was put on
>Levoxyl 100mcg to start with. But I am wondering what the reason of 2
>people in the profession having 2 totally different opinions.
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