[MlleOdile]

I've had symptoms of PCOS for some time. My family doctor thought I had it last year, but based on the results of an ultrasound that didn't show poly-cystic ovaries, he concluded that I did not. Just last week, my endocrinologist also thought I may have it, ran some blood work, specifically c-peptide. Since my c-peptide came back as low-normal, he concluded that I didn't have insulin resistance, and therefore no PCOS. I suppose I should be glad of that, but these other symptoms that I have keep nagging at me...

I've had acanthosis nigricans for years, I have dark hairs on my chin and upper lip, I gained a lot of weight almost over night 15 years ago, and have had little success in keeping it off. When I do lose weight, it is usually in response to a lot of exercise, and low glycemic eating. I have a period every 6 months - I thought it was menopause and it may be. Before that my periods were every 3 and 1/2 weeks apart. Before the weight gain, my periods were always 4 weeks on the dot. I had a dnc done a number of years ago for heavy bleeding, and the gynecologist said that although I was on day 5 of my cycle, it appeared more like day 14. I've had acne which started coincidentally about the time I gained weight. My dermatologist thought it was part of my roscacea. My blood pressure went steadily up but is now well controlled on BP medication. My cholesterol is a little high, but primarily because I have extremely high HDL.

I am going to have a long talk with my endo when I go back. I know there isn't one test that tells you that you have PCOS or not, but the c-peptide seems pretty definitive when it comes to determination of insulin production which is produced when high glucose is present.

Any thoughts? I feel something is not quite right, but the test results keep saying otherwise.

[Tara D]

Weight gain in and of itself can cause acanthosis nigricans and irregular menstrual cycles. Excess weight leads to increased peripheral conversion of estrogen and hormonal imbalance...this can be associated with overgrowth of the uterine endometrium, loss of ovulation, and widely spaced periods that are more related to break through bleeding after the endometrium has overgrown rather than periods associated with normal hormonal cycling. The fact that your cycles changed dramatically only after weight gain supports this. Adult onset acne/rosacea is not uncommon, so this could be just a coincidence. Hair may also increase with age due to hormonal changes. I would recommend that you continue your weight loss journey...it may be the key to resolving all of your medical issues, since most seemed to have come on with the weight gain.