High Testosterone

[Izziebelly]

Hi,

Not sure if thisis the right place for this and I'm so sorry for the length of this post, but please stay with me! Wondering if anyone can help as I am feeling very confused. I recently had some blood tests and an US scan done for suspected PCOS, and got the results yesterday. Apparently the scan showed by ovaries were healthy and normal (although I have been on the pill since 18 so apparently this helps?) and bloods came back with high testosterone and cholesterol. Everything else was normal.

I should have asked more questions, but was just a bit overwelmed at the time, so I'm not sure what exactly they tested for or what my Testosterone level was. The Doctor (who was a locum and not the Doctor who sent me for the tests) said it was strange to have high testosterone when I didn't have PCOS - she came to this assumption from the fact that my scan and other blood tests came back normal- but didn't seem to think it was a big deal. She said there was no obvious underlying cause and as we weren't planning on ttc for 6 months yet perscribed me a dianette rather than my normal contraceptive pill.

I was quite happy at the time, then I went home and googled high testosterone (bad idea!) all the suggestions were for PCOS and that this would prevent me from conceiving. So my questions are -

I guess the new pill might help for now, but when I come off it to TTC will I just be back where I started?

Is there any casuse for high testosterone other the PCOS? Can you just have it and its normal for you?

Would the tests the Doctor did for PCOS really be accurate/reliable when I was on the pill at the time they were done?

If anyone can help I would be so grateful
Izzie

PCOS is a very individualistic disorder and affects each woman with it very differently.

What the pill can do is mask symptoms of any underlying hormonal problem. I am wondering why they did the blood tests in the first place when they should already know that being on the pill can skew the hormonal test results. The pill damps down all these symptoms if PCOS is present!.

They cannot assume you do not have PCOS either as the cystic follicles associated with this condition can and do disappear only to be replaced by further cystic follicles. Also such cystic follicles can be very difficult to spot and it can take a skilled sonogrpaher to see them. Also the polycystic ovary can appear larger than normal (walnut) size and the appearance of such cystic follicles can be described as a "ring of pearls".

Dianette too is often given to PCOS patients as well due to its anti androgenic qualities.

What could well happen when you finish this next lot of pills is that your menstrual cycle will become totally absent or at the very least irregular.

If your body produces too much testosterone, you may have irregular or absent menstrual periods. You may also have more body hair than the average woman. Some women with high testosterone levels develop frontal balding. Other possible effects include acne, an enlarged clitoris, increased muscle mass, and deepening of voice.

High levels of testosterone can also lead to infertility and are commonly seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is an endocrine condition that is sometimes seen in women of childbearing age who have difficulty getting pregnant. Women with PCOS have symptoms similar to those produced by high testosterone levels. They include:

Obesity
An apple-shaped body
Excessive or thinning hair growth
Acne
Menstrual irregularity
PCOS is associated with:

Higher levels of circulating male hormones
Insulin resistance
Carbohydrate intolerance -- conditions that make you prone to gaining weight
Low levels of HDL ''good'' cholesterol
Elevated triglycerides
High LDL ''bad'' cholesterol
Obesity
High blood pressure

Hi Attila,

Thank you for your very knowlegable reply. It confirms that as I feared, this probably is going to be a problem for me when I TTC and that having all these tests whilst on the pill was probably a waste of time!

I am considering not taking the Dianette and just comming off the pill all together - at least this way I will be able to see what state my menstrual cycle is in. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, or if the dianette might sort my hormones out and have some lasting benefit which would help me conceive. I would ask my Doctor but it takes a month to get an appointment and seems that they aren't particulaly knowlegable on the subject anyway. Very frustraiting!