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Original poster

PCOS and hCG Levels

81 replies

Clwc · 23/04/2009 16:11

Hello all,

Apologies if this has been discussed previously.

I have been reading more and more about a link between PCOS and difficult to detect hCG levels during early pregnancy, making HPTs almost useless for many weeks.

Having been diagnosed with PCOS and hypothyroidism, I was once told, by a doctor, that different hormone disorders often go hand in hand. If that is the case, could it be that, even if a PCOS 'sufferer' were to become pregnant, not enough hCG would be produced to keep the pregnancy? Or has my thinking/knowledge gone to pot?

Does anyone have any thoughts on (1) the use of HPTs with PCOS and (2) the production of hCG when affected by PCOS?

That was long and my head's spinning. Hope I didn't just cure your insomnia!

xx

OP posts:
SuziBhoy · 21/05/2009 16:05

hi all...... this thread is great, its like you are in my head

have been ttc for 2 years, concieved once but it was ectopic.... have just found out i have pcos and have an appointment on monday to discuss treatment. Ive heard alot about clomid.... is this the most commen treatment?

how long after starting clomid did any of you notice a difference? excuse me for my questions a little anxious about monday.

SockThing · 21/05/2009 10:10

Hi
Sorry for disappearing, been so busy the last few days.

Butterfly, Clwc described Metformin brilliantly for you. If you read some stories on verity (the PCOS website) it can be a wonder drug for some ladies, unfortunately I think because I am not overweight it doesn't work as well in me. Although last time I was on it it did start my cycles again (after no AF for a year!). I was having AF every 50-55 days which to me was fab but Clomid was added and I got pg.

Hope you are prescribed Metformin in July Clwc.

I think I will take the Norethisterone in mid June so I can hopefully take the Clomid in July some time and see what happens.

Keep in touch!

Original poster
Clwc · 21/05/2009 00:13

Hm. I don't know what's happened to SockThing. No doubt she'll be back soon.

Well, butterfly. It's good that you found us. Sorry about your early mc. I think I just had one too, but, obviously, HPTs showed no sign.

Metformin is a diabetes drug, not currently licensed for PCOS, but often the first step for treatment. It controls blood sugar levels in the body. Most overweight PCOSers have some level of insulin resistance, and this is what Metformin is prescribed to treat (after a fasting glucose blood test), with the main aim of avoiding the insulin resistance developing in to full-blown diabetes. Met should also help with the many unpleasant side-effects of insulin resistance, including weight gain, cystic acne (boils), dark skin patches, etc. askapatient.com provides details of side-effects of the drug on diabetes and PCOS patients.

I have an appointment with the gynae in July. I hope that she will be able to prescribe Met to me.

Have you tried Clomid, butterfly? x

OP posts:
butterfly74 · 18/05/2009 22:41

Hi Sockthing.

What is Metformin? I've seen it mentioned a few times. When I looked it up it said it was a drug to treat diabetes and wasn't available to women with PCOS although it did help the condition. Is it something that can help conception when suffering with PCOS?

It does sound like many women are affected in different ways with PCOS. I have the facial hair and tendency to gain weight easily. Periods seems to be happening but not sure if I actually ovulate very often.

I hope all goes well with the scan. Its good to get an idea of what's going on in there and how things are looking. Hope it gives you some positive results.

SockThing · 18/05/2009 21:49

Hi
Happy birthday clwc!
Hi Butterfly, its really interesting isn't it and PCOS is such a confusing condition as it affects women in different ways so we can't all understand what each other are going through. For me I am not overweight or suffer with excess hair, its spots and no periods for me!!

I went to see the consultant today and he said I should take Norethisterone to induce a period then Clomid. He is seeing me again in 3 months.

I am thinking of giving Metformin another month before taking the Norethisterone as it worked last time but did take a while. I am also going to have an ultrasound of my ovaries/pelvis to see what is going on in there too.

I'll keep you posted

butterfly74 · 18/05/2009 15:46

Hi all.
It's been really interesting reading this thread as a fellow PCOS'r. I've being TTC for a year now and am wondering what to do next. I think I'll go to GP and ask more about hormones and TTC after reading all these comments. I've had blood tests done, one month I'd ovulated and one month I hadn't. Not sure what's going on with my insides!! Extra confusing factor is that I conceived very easily 3 times before (2 DC's aged 5 and 8 and one MC at 12 weeks) BUT with my previous DH. I am now wondering if it's more than just my PCOS thats the prob I also think I've had an early MC this time trying too as loads of symptoms and then a long 'cylce' with symptoms stopping just before AF. Cycle all over the place too. Its all sooooo confusing.

Sorry for the ramble! Good luck to you all.

Original poster
Clwc · 14/05/2009 15:50

Thanks. I'm not really looking forward to the 1st Anniversary of my 29th Birthday...

...Looking forward to the party though!

The specialist tried to fob me off with the pill (Dianette), but I read many cases of women who took it, only to come off it and develop worse PCOS symptoms than they had before. Also, I wanted to ovulate, and the pill doesn't do that for you.

Let me know how Monday goes. As this thread suggests, it may still have been a false -ve.

OP posts:
SockThing · 14/05/2009 13:43

Hiya
Test was negative which I expected and I am not too bothered as I have only been on Met since early Feb and if I am honest I would prefer to get pregnant a bit later in the year for a baby next spring/summer to fit in with work (I know I will prob regret that when in 1 year's time I am still trying!).

At least I can see the consultant on Monday and tell him I am not pg and see if he wil u/s my ovaries/womb.

I was on Met to get pg, stopped it at 12 weeks and went back on the pill after my son was born as the pill was great for my cycles/skin everything. Came off the pill in Jan to start TTC again. May stay on Met after my next child is born (wishful thinking!)as I don't want to be on the pill again.

Sorry for rattling on! Hope you are well - and happy birthday for Monday!!

X

Original poster
Clwc · 14/05/2009 00:06

Hi SockThing,

Good to hear from you again. I thought Metformin was something you take for life. Shows what I know. I have an appt on the 3rd July. Perhaps they will let me try Met and give me some more info about it.

I just worked out that, if you are pg, you'll be about 11-12 weeks! Best of luck with your test tomorrow. xx

OP posts:
SockThing · 13/05/2009 20:54

Hi again

I was on Metformin 2000mg last time and still had -ve tests for quite a while. I am on it again this time and on CD99 today!!! No symptoms, going to test tomorrow as its day 100!

See the specialist on Monday so will see what he thinks. I am going to ask for an ultrasound of my pelvis to see what is going on with my ovaries, if there is any activity at all.

Think he will prescribe Clomid too but I may wait and give the Metformin time to work for a few more months.

I'll let you know what happens after Monday

SockThing · 13/05/2009 20:54

Hi again

I was on Metformin 2000mg last time and still had -ve tests for quite a while. I am on it again this time and on CD99 today!!! No symptoms, going to test tomorrow as its day 100!

See the specialist on Monday so will see what he thinks. I am going to ask for an ultrasound of my pelvis to see what is going on with my ovaries, if there is any activity at all.

Think he will prescribe Clomid too but I may wait and give the Metformin time to work for a few more months.

I'll let you know what happens after Monday

Original poster
Clwc · 13/05/2009 17:11

I hope everyone's well. Clwc. xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Clwc · 10/05/2009 12:32

bump

OP posts:
Original poster
Clwc · 07/05/2009 17:17

Thanks peacock.

Apparently, Metformin is supposed to control the hormone imbalance (assoc. with with PCOS) that happens after ovulation, therefore keeping hCG levels up. In many cases, Metformin is prescribed to try to avoid miscarriages caused by low hormone levels, aka 'inviable' pregnancies.

Have the ladies with these undetected pregnancies taken Metformin during the first trimester?

I'm off to see my doc tomorrow, and hope to be prescribed Metformin for this very reason. I'd also like a blood PT, as there's something very strange going on with my body and I don't know if it's just Clomid causing it, IYKWIM

OP posts:
peacockw8 · 07/05/2009 04:02

Hey there.

I have been diagnosed with PCOS. ttc for years. Finally did rounds of Clomid and Progesterone. One to start, one to stop. Took Clomid, no AF, HPT was negtive, took progesterone to start, and when I didn't start, took another hpt at about 9 weeks, and fially got a positive result. First Dr. apt was after 10 weeks!!! Baby boy is 3 and doing good. Now we are ttc again, and taking clomid, Dr. said I did ovulate tis month. I am at w4d5. Still neg on the HPT. My Dr. said we will do a blood test on Monday, he is sure that I ovulated. I am also wondering and thinking that you are right about the PCOS and slow HCG levels.

Original poster
Clwc · 06/05/2009 00:20

bmstrawberry,

Sorry it was -ve, not least because you need an explanation! How did your appointment go? xx

OP posts:
bmstrawberry · 04/05/2009 17:06

Well the blood test was a BFN. I don't have the details on what my levels were because the nurse just left a message on my machine. Hopefully I will know more after my appointment tomorrow.

Original poster
Clwc · 01/05/2009 17:28

Hello all,

I have received a message from a girl who is good friends with someone in the know about all this. Apparently, an immunologist said that even mild PCOS can cause you to have low oestrogen (needed to ovulate), low hCG, low progesterone, and too much testosterone.

I would like this to be confirmed to me directly by a medical professional, but at least we know one doctor in the UK agrees

OP posts:
Original poster
Clwc · 30/04/2009 17:50

Eek. That's my birthday! You just reminded me that I won't be in my twenties anymore

I hope he can clear things up a bit for you. Perhaps he can give AF a boost in some way.

Ooh, the sun has just started shining...I'm off out to play

OP posts:
SockThing · 30/04/2009 17:40

Hi
Great to see you all on here, I feel slightly more normal now!!

My last AF was end of Feb (induced by pill) then I stopped the pill and started Metformin. Nothing since then! I am on CD86!

I have a DS aged 5 and conceived him on Met so I know it can work for me. Last time I had sore boobs for about a week at around week 6(I know from counting back when I had a dating scan, had no idea I was pg) then they disappeared and after another 3 weeks I tested and had a really faint +ve.

I have done a few HPTs but I don't really think I am pg, I really want AF so I can then see if the Met gives me any kind of cycle. Last time I had a cycle of 50+ days but I did get pg.

Think I will get the consultant to test me and maybe ask for an us of my ovaries too. I see him on 18 May so only a few weeks! Maybe I will have had AF by then!

Original poster
Clwc · 30/04/2009 17:33

Thanks, Yankn. At least you've had some success. BFP at 13 and 14 DPO is quite normal, even for those without PCOS, but slow-rising hCG levels seem to be a bit of a theme amongst PCOSers. I don't think I'm just imagining it anymore. Perhaps it's just a 40% of cases event, perhaps it's more frequent. Let's see who else has a story to tell...

bmstrawberry, Many girls with PCOS take some form of progesterone (e.g. Noristherone) to bring on the bleed they need to start Clomid. Ask your doc for some if your blood test comes back negative.

OP posts:
bmstrawberry · 30/04/2009 17:14

My back has been all achy and I've had a few weird crampy pains in my stomach but nothing completely out of the ordinary. I have been waiting for this LONG AF to go away so I could start my first round of clomid.....and I'm still waiting. : 0

YanknCock · 30/04/2009 16:59

Another PCOSer here. Have gotten postive tests at 13dpo and 14dpo with my two pregnancies. First ended in miscarriage, with HCG levels being just at the low end of normal, rising very slowly and not doubling in the recommended amount of time. GP tested HCG because I noticed my main symptom (sore boobs) went away. There was a heartbeat at the scan at 6+6, but the sac was too small, which I found out is a good predictor of miscarriage. No idea if the HCG problem was related to PCOS or not.

Second pregnancy is at 23+2 and baby boy is absolutely fine.

Original poster
Clwc · 30/04/2009 16:49

I'm so glad you found us that way. Maybe more will come

Do you have other symptoms? Did you take Clomid?

Let's hope the Doc gets back to you tomorrow sometime...Oh, and fingers crossed that it's the news you want to hear

OP posts:
bmstrawberry · 30/04/2009 16:44

Ok, I was researching HCG levels and PCOS and just happened acrross you guys! Not much info on the net that's for sure.
I have PCOS and I'm on Metformin.....currently on CD55 with multiple negative home tests. The doc did a blood test yesterday so hopefully I will have some news to report to all of you by Friday or Monday at the latest!

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