PCOS/Insulin Resistance Support Support for us with any of the following: Insulin Resistance, Syndrome X, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or other endocrine disorders.

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Old 02-09-2007, 05:07 AM   #1  
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Default Difference in treatments in US/ UK

Hi,

I've been reading the threads in this area with great interest. It sounds like when you go for a medical examination you get a very good picture of what you're faced with when you're diagnosed with PCOS. I have no idea! I've been looking into metformin and it's not licensed here in the UK but you can get it from a specialist. Standard testing is not offered here on the NHS unless you are hospitalised and at death's door - so I have no idea what tests would be good for me to have.

Would you mind telling me what standard tests you have when you were diagnosed with PCOS? Is it worth me asking for a blood test (is this at certain points in the cycle to test for hormone levels?)? What else? I really feel in the dark about a lot of things and it sounds like you guys know what you're faced with.

EM
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Old 02-10-2007, 08:52 AM   #2  
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Hey EM

If you see your Dr they will give you a cd21 Progeterone test for around three months to initalise a pattern of whether you are ovualting and they will also test within that the levels of all different hormines like your Male Adrogen Index which i think is the amount of testosterone you have and also your levles of estogen etc too. I was diagnoed by my Gp by blood only but then Undiagnosed by my Fertility Consultant. The dr maybe also send you for a scan to check for Cysts to see if there is any present.

Some Dr's may not doing any of this they may send you straight to see a Gynaeologist it just depends on the dr really... My advice would be to go and tell the dr that you think you have PCOS and you would like to be tested for it to make sure you are/arent they can say no dependent on the symptoms you have but i think most of them will be sympathetic and will do it. I has Charts from taking my tempreture to take with me cos id be doing my body temp for months and they all showed no ovualtion so with that in my hand she had to test me cos she has no choice really.

Asw for metaformin is it widly given out by both Gp's and Gynae's etc as its used to treat both PCOS and Diabeties or sometimes both if u suffer from both... My mum takes Metaformin for diabeties and my sister was taking it for Diabeites & PCOS as she was trying to concieve baby #2 but now she is pregnant so she not on the metaformin anymore so i would not worry about metaformin too much if you need it then the chance are you will get it without a problem.

I hope that helps hunni , if you have any other questions feel free to message me....Which part of London do you live in im in South London.

Teresa
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Old 02-10-2007, 02:02 PM   #3  
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Hi Teresa,

Thanks so much - yes that really does help. I'm in South London too - Greenwich - hello! I have seen my gynae every 6 months and have been taking provera (progesterone) as have excess oestrogen. I also have 6 monthly internal scans and it was on that basis and my history that he diagnosed me with PCOS - but when I asked about test he just said that there was no need and I felt a bit in the dark about it all and he said there wasn't really a definitive test to see if you were ovulating (he guesses I'm not from my history of irregular periods). I'd like to not guess anymore. I shall ask my GP for a blood test and what you have said has been really helpful - I'll know what to ask for. Also will inquire about metformin as suspect I am insulin resistant as have all the classic symptoms - but I guess that depends on the blood tests. I'll keep you posted after my test results!

EM
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Old 02-11-2007, 09:48 AM   #4  
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Hey Em

Im glad i could help , I am really surrpised your Dr has not given a day21 Progesterone test as thats the one way they determine ovualtion , i havent ovualted since at least October 05 and if i have it must of been a month when i wasnt tested normally if u have ovualted your Progesterone will be over 10 or so my dr says anything under that normally suggest Non-Ovualtion I havent had one over 4. Thing is Dr's dont always tell you things like that its stuff you pic up along the way lucky for me i have a realitivly good dr but in some areas she isnt so great but she is not as bad as my Fertility Dr shes a lot worse hehe.

Its great to finally meet someone south of the River lol everyone on here seems to be from North London or herts places like that so at least i know i have another southy around here . I live nr to Wimbledon.

If you have any more questions feel free to Message me or if u have MSN i dont mind you adding me if you ever wanna chat about anything im happy to help.

Take care and good luck with that Dr of yours.

Teresa
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Old 02-11-2007, 11:40 PM   #5  
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CD3 testing is what is used in the initial diagnosing stages. FSH, LH, testosterone, cholesterol (can be done anytime, though). CD 21 is misleading for progesterone, it should actually be done on 7dpo.

Metformin is given for PCOS often here in the US, but it's actually an off label use of the drug - it's not approved by the FDA for this purpose. But, b/c it's intended purpose is diabetes, almost all insurances cover this whereas they might not cover any other meds.
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Old 02-13-2007, 12:46 PM   #6  
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Hi again,

Thanks again Teresa - very helpful! Yes it is nice to 'meet' a south londoner!! Think it would be difficult to test my progesterone unless I came off my meds as I take progesterone - my particular problem (as indicated by the scan - thickened lining of the womb) is too much oestrogen and as it's suspected that I'm not ovulating not enough progesterone so I guess he just thought why bother testing. But I will definitely ask about it.

Hi Jenny - thanks for the info you posted too. I have booked an appointment with my family doctor and the nurse to have everything taken - blood, bp, fasting blood sugar - and I'm not leaving until they agree to take blood to do above tests! Will also ask about metformin - we'll see what happens!

EM
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Old 05-08-2007, 05:11 AM   #7  
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Hi English Muffin!

I'm from the UK (South London too, loves it!) and I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15. I was having really irregular periods and my mum made me go the the doctors. I thought it was probably nothing and maybe that it was something to do with my age, but the doctor suggested that PCOS might be a possible cause of what was going on. He sent me for a blood test, and that came back pretty much normal so I was then referred to have an ultrasound. I got a really good idea about what was going on in there, and the nurse explained everything really well. You should ask to be referred to have an ultrasound scan - seriously dont take no for an answer - becuase the was the best way to know in detail about the severity of the situation. Hope that helps!! x
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