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Re: just curious
From: anne (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 8 Apr 2002 01:30:52 -0500 (CDT)
Thanks very much for taking the time to write that comprehensive reply;
yes slowly this is beginning to make slightly more sense to me! More
information on the mechanism of the insulin problems definitely helped.
I'm probably coming across as a right thicko because I need everything
explained to me in detail in language I can understand, but nevermind.
Things just don't entirely seem to stick in my head othewise. Right, so
to clarify, many women get an improvement or at least a slowing down in
the progression of their symptoms when treating the insulin resistance
aggressively using the means currently available to us. We know our
cells do not accept our insulin correctly. Are we not sure of the
reasons why, but there is one study to show that this may be
partly?entirely? because our insulin is not formed properly. And
haven't there been studies to suggest a genetic defect with the insulin
receptors or something? I personally would be interested in a few more
references. I also see your point about the research on the PCOS/non
PCOS sisters. That didn't really occur to me before. I assumed that
maybe all the 'non-PCOS' sisters with hyperandrogenism might have signs
of hyperandrogenism, and regular ovulation (on a normal diet) and no
other disorder. But yes I suppose there would be problems with going
'right these sisters have PCOS, and these don't.' I can't find the
article right now.
Thanks again.
At Sun, 7 Apr 2002, Belle wrote:
>
>Wow! Thanks everyone! I am not sure what I did differently with this
>post but I am glad that some people found it informative. Maybe I can
>repeat this success. >
>>>
>>>At Wed, 3 Apr 2002, Belle wrote:
>>>>
>>>>Research on PCOS is fairly new. Even though we know that in the 1800s,
>>>>French doctors were aware of the "diabetes of beardes women", PCOS has
>>>>been considered a cosmetic problem or a "female" problem. In 1983, the
>>>>first research came out linking insulin problems with PCOS. It then
>>>>took 10 years before the next research (that I am aware of) even began.
>>>>In 1996, some trials were preformed using insulin reducing drugs to
>>>>treat women with PCOS. Glucophage was used most frequently but Rezulin
>>>>was used with great success as well. Unfortunately, Rezulin had a nasty
>>>>side effect of killing people (about 30) and was taken off of the US
>>>>market. The use of these drugs resulted in a number of changes in
>>>>women. Insulin problems were staightened out, of course, but women
>>>>began ovulating, had a decrease in abnormal lipid levels, decrease in
>>>>testosterone (androgens), and had weight loss.
>>>>
>>>>As far as we know, based on the recent research, PCOS is caused by
>>>>abnormal insulin use. Our cells do not accept our insulin correctly and
>>>>research also seems to indicate that our insulin is not formed properly.
>>>>I only know of one study that indicated the abnormal shape, so more
>>>>research needs to be done in order for this to be considered fact. We
>>>>are born with this problem but it makes itself evident dring puberty or
>>>>after we have had another major hormone change (birth control pill,
>>>>pregnancy). By treating the insulin resistance, it *seems* that we are
>>>>treating the root factor of PCOS. We may find out later that something
>>>>else is the cause but as it stands now, insulin looks like the culprit.
>>>>Either way, we have hope now that didn't exist just 5 or 10 years ago.
>>>>
>>>>The androgen can be made by the ovaries and by the adrenal glands. When
>>>>you have too much androgen made by the adrenals (with out other forces
>>>>like hormones affecting it) , you have a different disorder (like CAH).
>>>>Since the diagnosis of PCOS is frequently a matter of elimination
>>>>instead of a list of exact lab values or clinical findings, it is hard
>>>>to take seriously any reports of PCOSers and non-PCOSer sisters with
>>>>high androgen levels. It may be very reputable reports but it may be a
>>>>report that is over 3 or 4 years old. The last few years have *really*
>>>>made a world of difference to women with PCOS. This article clearly
>>>>states how insulin can lead to hyperandrogenism:
>>>>http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle.asp?page=/pcos/articles/treatment_options_for_you
>>>>
>>>>While you have PCOS if you were born with PCOS, I believe that the
>>>>severity of the symptoms do depend on the person. A person with a PCOS
>>>>mother and father with "fast metabolism" may have PCOS but not have to
>>>>struggle so much with weight. A person who has a father with heart
>>>>disease but the same mother, may have weight issues continually. We
>>>>need to also keep in mind that a parent (m or f) with heart disease or
>>>>diabetes also puts us at risk for having PCOS.
>>>>
>>>>Secondly?!? I am exhausted now! :-)
>>>>
>>>>Genetics are now known as the source of our problems. We are different
>>>>from Type II diabetics in that they (for the most part) developed
>>>>diabetes due to inactivity and poor eating practices. Their cells
>>>>"swelled" making the insulin receptors "out of shape" and causing their
>>>>insulin to not be able to function properly. That is why many of them
>>>>can lose weight and not be considered diabetic any longer. We will have
>>>>PCOS forever, even if we lose weight or have hysterectomies or exercies
>>>>4 hours a day. Here is a press release regarding the connection between
>>>>PCOS and genetics :
>>>>http://www.obgyn.net/displayarticle.asp?page=/pcos/futterweit_press release
>>>>
>>>>There are not lots of different *types* of insulin to my knowledge, but
>>>>there can be differences in the way the amino acids hook up, creating
>>>>different shape. There used to be a reference to this on the OBGYN.net
>>>>page but I cannot find the link at all now -- Sonnet?? Paula?? Anyone??
>>>>
>>>>I hope that I have at least touched on all of your questions. I do have
>>>>some more information but I do not want to overwhelm you or the ladies
>>>>who get the digest with a longer post! If you have other questions, want
>>>>other references, or if I have totally confused you about something,
>>>>just let us know. The questions that you are asking represents the
>>>>advances have been found in the area of PCOS during the last decade. It
>>>>marks a change in the way we think about PCOS. It is important that
>>>>these questions be answered and critiqued.
>>>>
>--
>Hope this helps,
>
>Belle
>
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