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Re: Very Discouraged!
From: Kimberlie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 2 Jul 2002 20:42:26 -0500 (CDT)
Sally and Kimberly,
Thank you for your response. Actually, the first thing my GP did when
she suspected PCOS was refer me to an Endocrinologist. That was last
December. The problem is that my Endo did all the same tests and came
back with all the same answers but said, "Everything looks fine, we'll
keep an eye on it." She was not helpful at all. When I saw my GP two
weeks ago she asked me how I was doing and I told her. She said, "I am
positive you have PCOS. If it looks like a duck and it quacks like a
duck, its almost always a duck." I had all of my hormone levels tested
as well as thyroid. My TSH was a 4.0 as well. So I am going to mention
your information, Sally, to the new specialist my GP is sending me to -
he has extensive experience with PCOS and fertility issues.
Yes, I am watching my calories. I eat between 1400 and 1500 per day.
Anything less is just too little food for me. I get too hungry at night
and I end up snacking all night long. I am encouraged by both of you
and your example of how you have lost weight.
Thanks for offering some hope!
Kimberlie
At Tue, 2 Jul 2002, anonymous wrote:
>
>Hi,
>
>I would like to second what Kimberly said about the thyroid. Also, you
>should know that sometimes having thyroid just at the top of the
>'normal' range is too high. My story. I could not lose weight (was
>gaining) on very low calorie and exercise. My TSH (measurment of
>thyroid function) was about 4.0. According to most doctors that is ok.
>Actually, if you research, most women should have a TSH of 2 or below.
>Anyway, finally I found my wonderful endocrinologist and she is very
>agressive about treatment. She said I have thyroid problem (aslo cause
>she said my thyroid was slightly enlarged) and also had a lot of the
>symptoms. She aimed to get the TSH down to 1.0. Anyway, am now on
>Thyroid replacement (about 50%) and feel great. It is still very hard
>to lose weight, but not impossible like before. I have lost 35, 35 to
>go and am on plateau at the moment - but that is cause I am not trying
>hard enough.
>
>If thyroid is even suspected, I would recommend that you ask your doctor
>to do a monitored trial using thyroid replacement (monitored to see your
>TSH doesn't go too low) and then see how you feel and also what happens
>with your weight - in combination with your on-going healthy habits.
>
>Best wishes
>
>Sally
>
>At Tue, 2 Jul 2002, Kimberly wrote:
>>
>>Are you taking Glucophage? Have you had your thyroid tested? Are you
>>counting calories?
>>
>>Glucophage helps many IR people lose weight. It is almost impossible to
>>lose any weight if you have thyroid disease (which many women with PCOS
>>have for some reason) and it is often not diagnosed. If you are eating
>>healthy, it does not necessarily mean you will lose weight, there HAS to
>>be a rather large calorie deficit to facilitate weight loss and
>>sometimes if I'm not counting EVERY calorie, I can actually end up
>>eating a maintainence amount of calories when I thought I was doing
>>better. E-diets is a great plan to get portion control under control -
>>and it's motivational too.
>>
>>I have PCOS and lost 50 lbs. in 6months by doing the above. I still
>>have 50 to go, and after a 6 month break am now getting serious about
>>losing the rest. I don't think it is impossible for anyone to lose
>>weight. It may be impossible, or unreasonably difficult, for you to
>>reach your ultimate goal - but with concerted effort you should not feel
>>hopeless. If you are not seeing an endocrinologist or are seeing one
>>who is not aggressive in their treatment, I would highly recommend it,
>>as they deal with the horomone AND metabolic aspects of health and if
>>you find one who WILL aggressively treat you, you should be able to lose
>>all the weight your body will allow. They should also thoroughly check
>>your thyroid the minute you say you are having trouble losing weight. I
>>hope your dr. did that, but if not, you might want to check into it.
>>
>>Lastly, working out, especially as much as you are, often causes initial
>>weight gain due to building muscle - but you are doing exactly what you
>>should be doing so keep up the great work. Your heart will thank you!
>>:) I hope all the hard work catches up with you and you reach your
>>goals. Don't forget that even a moderate weight loss will help with the
>>diabets and PCOS!
>>At Tue, 2 Jul 2002, anonymous@obgyn.net wrote:
>>>
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