PCOS and hCG Levels

[Clwc]

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

Thanks, TattyCatty,

It is reassuring to hear stories of full-term PG with PCOS...and belated congrats on the birth of your DD

It started as a hunch, but the more I read, the more I see a correlation. I haven't found many medical sites that have put two and two together with this though. I hope more women come to this thread with their views, and hopefully a mid-wife and/or reproductive endocrinologist included!

xx

Hello SockThing

Did you find anything interesting? Perhaps they need to try to detect a different substance in pregnant women with PCOS. Something not quite so hormone-related, perhaps?

Congrats for your perfect DS too

xx

Anyone else?

I didn't find anything interesting on the internet, can't be much research into it but I am convinced of it. Someone with PCOS I know from another website has found out she is 12 weeks pg despite numerous -ve tests over the last few months, she had tons of pg symptoms too.

I worry that as I didn't get ANY symptoms last time that I may be pg now and not know

Would a blood test show up pregnancy rather than a urine test?

Are you TTC clwc?

I am TTC and started this thread during the 2ww. I am just as guilty as everyone else with symptom-spotting, but the meds (Clomid) also cause a wide range of confusing side-effects. AF arrived a few days ago.

I believe a blood test is more likely to detect even minimal amounts of hCG, but don't quote me on that. I'm no physician. When did you expect AF, SockThing? If it has been a while, I'd get your surgery nurse/GP or consultant to do a blood test. Epecially if you've had a lot of BFNs with HPTs. Explain to him/her what happened last time.

There was a poll done on soulcysters.com that asked how many DPO people had their BFP. Some were early and some were later. Perhaps it differs from PCOSer to PCOSer.

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!

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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

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.

bmstrawberry,

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

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.

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

bump

I hope everyone's well. Clwc. xx

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

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

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

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

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.