Hi
I have been followed by my regular doc for a while for an enlarged thyroid. finally, I went to the endocrinologist and had a bunch of test done. I have a toxic multi-nodular goiter (say that 3x fast ), but he feels that my problems (hair loss, trouble losing weight, acne, painful periods, etc) are PCOS, not because of my goiter, since my tsh and t4 are in the normal range. That being said, he does think at some point my thyroid will have to be surgically removed because of it's size. He also said I am pre-diabetic, which is so not cool. We are doing a bunch of blood tests and i go back in a month. From what he said losing weight is the key, but if it were that easy, i'd be a size 4!!!
Also, I was slightly surprised, since I didn't have any infertility problems (and I'm sorry to the ones that do. I imagine it's very hard, I've had several girlfriends go thru the treatments and it's heartbreaking even as a friend). Of course, that could have changed, since I'm trying NOT to get pregnant at this point. Our daughter is 3, and while I desperatly want another baby, now is not a good time in our lives.
So, what do I do? What can I do to lose more weight? Does weight watchers work with the insulin resistance? I want to be healthy for my kid and myself. And before I have another baby.
Anyway
Thanks for any help I can get
Maggie

I just had a blood test done on tuesday to see if I have it. But I knew someone w/PCOS who did the National Body Challage and she lost a LOT of weight. She never thought she could lose the weight, but she did. She did it all by eating right and working out every day. Good Luck!!

When you go to get tested you should ask for an ultrasound to be done as well as a blood test. My blood tests were rather inconclusive but my ovaries were definitely polycystic.

Good luck!

With insulin resistance and being pre-diabetic the key is to manage your insulin and blood sugar levels. People with PCOS need to be particularly careful about foods that cause a spike in blood sugar because your body releases lots of insulin in response to that and, because you're insulin resistance, it doesn't do what it's supposed to (cause your cells to take in the glucose). You release more and more insulin to compensate.

Weight loss, for the most part, is just a question of causing enough of a calorie deficit through diet in exercise that your body is forced to metabolize your extra fat for energy. That being said, in someone who is IR carbs are something you have to consider. Carbs are a fast source of energy because they do need to be degraded as much to turn into sugar so they do so very quickly. You want to try and minimize any blood sugar spikes so you can try and control your insulin levels.You can do this by not eating any processed carbs or refined sugars and always eating carbs with protein and/or fat. The proteins and fats slow down the breakdown of the carbs so that you don't get the insulin spike.

Basically, something like weight watchers could work for you but I would suggest maybe doing some research on something like a glycemic index type diet. It's a little bit complicated but hopefully you got the general idea out of my ramblings.

Also, if your doctor does confirm you have PCOS there are different medications that can help with insulin resistance and some of your other symptoms. With PCOS the symptoms tend to get better as you drop the weight and some medications can help...but it's still crucial you stay on top of your diet and workout.

Thanks! I joined WW this morning, and went grocery shopping this afternoon, so we'll see. I really want to make this work and get healthy.
Thanks!!!
Maggie

Good luck! Are you doing Flex? If you have problems with weight loss, try Core and see if that works better for you because of the carb issue. One great thing is, once you lose some weight then your IR could decrease, and then you don't have to worry so much about the carbs and glycemic index. But for many, that is the only way.

IMO, the main key to weight loss with IR is exercise! Lots of it. The way my Dr explained it, is that we have all this extra insulin shooting around in our veins from the IR, so we can either burn it off via exercise, or let it do it's work as the fat storage hormone - or something like that I need to look at my old posts! Also, exercise improves the insulin sensitivity, which in return reduces the IR. But overall, a PCOSer normally has to exercise more than the average chick - but it is a powerful tool!

Great, cause I LOVE to exercise. That's why I weigh 216lbs!!! Yay
I was looking at the couch to 5k program, I think I may try that. My husband runs, and we could do that together.
Thanks, everyone, for your help. Let's see if I can do this!!

Maggie

You absolutely can do this! Yes it's more work for people with PCOS but it's totally worth it.

Running is fantastic. I hated it for about a month and then I couldn't seem to stop doing it. You get a real sense of accomplishment as you achieve your little goals (like the first time you run five minutes without stopping) and you start competing with yourself to do better. Just try to get through those first few weeks and I think you'll really start to enjoy it. It's also a great outlet for frustration

Good luck!

Thanks for all the help. My husband bought me an elliptical machine for my birthday (which is Wed, the 19), it should be here this week. That will help, too, since I won't have to go to the gym. It's such a hassle to do since I have a very limited time slot while my daughter is at preschool. With the machine at home I can do it during nap and after she goes to bed.
Running for 5 minutes would be amazing! I don't feel fat, usually, I mean, I don't get out of breath going up and down the stairs in the house or playing with my daughter outside, but I can't run for ****e!
Thanks

Maggie