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Original poster

If you are slim and have PCOS and/or insulin resistance would you mind stepping this way?

71 replies

YesVeryGoodVeryStrong · 27/09/2017 17:43

Posting in here rather than health for traffic.

Went to see my GP about possible PCOS, but she didn't think it was worth pursuing/finding out whether I have it or not because I'm not trying to conceive. She also said that I can't be insulin resistant because I am not overweight. But I am sure I have read about people that are normal weight and insulin resistant. Maybe I am getting this mixed up. Would appreciate any advice from anyone with PCOS or insulin resistance or both.

OP posts:
FluffyFlowerFace · 27/09/2017 19:53

I'm a size 8 pcos whose 32 weeks pregnant. I've had a glucose tolerance test due to pregnancy that was negative. I'm not insulin resistant now but I think I've still got a higher chance due to pcos?

Wheresmytaco · 27/09/2017 19:58

Victoria Beckham has pcos doesn't she? I've got it but in it's traditional fat form

Wheresmytaco · 27/09/2017 20:01

Went to see my GP about possible PCOS, but she didn't think it was worth pursuing/finding out whether I have it or not because I'm not trying to conceive.

That's a pretty shit approach to women's health right there, isn't it? Understand potential medical conditions is important for you not just as your potential as a baby maker.

Can you imagine telling a man you don't care about his prostrate because he's not trying to make a baby

brownfang · 27/09/2017 20:03

It's 20 yrs old, but says 20-50% of women with PCOS were healthy BMI.
academic.oup.com/jcem/article/82/12/4075/2865999/Lean-Women-with-Polycystic-Ovary-Syndrome-Respond.

What symptoms are you having, what treatment do you want?

shouldaknownbetter · 27/09/2017 20:06

I'm normal weight and insulin resistant/diabetic. I am on medication which helps (metformin/dapagliflozin) and I avoid carbs in the day time. If I eat (lots of ) carbs, I balloon, especially around my tummy. So I'm not huge, but I could be if I didn't keep things in check. (BMI apx 26 so only just out of healthy range)

brownfang · 27/09/2017 20:09

Do you mind saying what ethnic group you are, OP?

Veinarde · 27/09/2017 20:13

Hi, I went to GP with concerns over possible PCOS. She litterlly said 'you are not fat to have It'. After 2 years of TTC we went privately, the scan showed typical polycystic ovaries, blood tests revealed elevated LH levels - ratio of 2.5 :1 LH/FSH. I was ovulating early hence immature eggs. I was not tested for insulin resistance though. Had a treatment and now pregnant!
PCOS is quite complex and can manifest differently in women, although 80% is prob classic - overweight, not ovulating, etc. NHS is just looking for those typical symptoms I guess.

Original poster
YesVeryGoodVeryStrong · 27/09/2017 20:32

brownfang I'm white British. I'm 29.

I've had acne for years and am v hirsute. Oily skin too. But my periods aren't that irregular. I vary between thinking whatever it's not important to thinking wait I could be at increased risk of diabetes etc I should have this looked at.

OP posts:
brownfang · 27/09/2017 20:54

Friend with PCOS tried metaformin, can't stand it, says it gives her chronic diarrhea. I'm just thinking the medication can be tough to get right. It's worth looking at the lifestyle factors if you haven't already tried that.

I'm finding lots of studies which list people with BMI < 25 & who have PCOS, but they all seem to be Brazilian or Indian. Didn't want to suggest something that your GP might dismiss b/c they say you're not the same ethnicity.

DistractedByIrrelevance · 27/09/2017 21:02

That's an awful attitude from the doctor. I have PCOS and I am size 10/12 (when I haven't recently given birth!). I was diagnosed years before I'd even thought of having children.

Hornbeamer · 27/09/2017 21:07

I only found out I had pcos when I started ivf. I saw it noted on a form and asked what it meant! Drs hadn't thought to mention it before then. I'm a size 10. The consultant said to me that there is a huge spectrum of severity. They could see it on my ovaries but I was largely symptom free.

FluffyFlowerFace · 27/09/2017 21:08

I took clomid clinic and metformin to get pregnant. Don't know how useful the metformin was but the fertility Dr said it helps out of control hormones not just insulin resistance.

allthatmalarkey · 27/09/2017 21:38

Had a good experience with metformin, just wanted to say.

Original poster
YesVeryGoodVeryStrong · 27/09/2017 22:03

Thanks for replies all.

I can't believe they didn't tell you Horn!

OP posts:
Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 27/09/2017 22:06

When i was very slim i had PCOS

And i had an underactive thyroid

I am now fat with both of those Grin

So yeah you can be slim with PCOS

I think dd may have it as well, she is slim as well

grumpysquash3 · 27/09/2017 22:14

I have PCOS and am slim, or at least not overweight (BMI 24)
Not technically insulin resistant, but at the high end of normal. In pregnancy I was borderline gestational diabetes, monitored but no intervention needed.
My periods were very irregular in my 20s and early 30s. Now in 40s they seem to have regulated for no particular reason.
I would pursue a diagnosis, if you want one, and not be put off because you're slim. It's useful to know if you have a medical condition.

minipie · 27/09/2017 22:35

I have PCOS

I have acne
Underactive thyroid (now medicated)
Not diabetic but had GD in second pregnancy

Not hirsute
Never been overweight
Periods not very irregular (31-33 days naturally).

Ethnically I'm caucasian.

I got diagnosed when TTC.

(By the by, Dianette plus Spironolactone seems to be sorting my acne)

youlittlecharmer · 27/09/2017 22:48

I was told last year that I 'definitely don't have PCOS, you're far too slim'. I'm 5'3 and over 10 stone so on the verge of overweight really!

Was diagnosed with it when I was 16 with spots, facial hair, irregular periods, but GPs these days don't seem bothered to look into it again. Now I'm 28 and starting to think about ttc in the next few years I am a bit nervous that we'll have difficulty.

Like pp, dianette has cleared my skin up massively.

Original poster
YesVeryGoodVeryStrong · 27/09/2017 22:49

Interesting minipie.

My thyroid was checked a few years ago (it may have been checked when I most recently had tests this year but I don't know) and was fine then.

OP posts:
Julesbegone · 27/09/2017 23:04

Yep: another one here. Acne was the only symptom I had. 5ft 3 and approx 9 stone usually but currently 34 weeks pregnant. Conceived first month of trying.

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 27/09/2017 23:09

I had no symptoms

We had been trying for 6 months to conceive and dh had fertility treatment as oart of his health insurance

I wasn't actually expecting to have anything 'wrong' although obviously underactive thyroid can cause problems in fertility

minipie · 27/09/2017 23:15

OP my thyroid was fine in my late 20s and then not fine by my early 30s (not terrible, but bad enough to stop me conceiving). So things can change.

It has been useful for me to know about having PCOS as it has influenced the acne treatment my dermatologist has given me. Maybe that's the angle to use?

Chaotica · 27/09/2017 23:24

Another one here. Found out by accident when I had a scan for something else. I had bad acne but that was all. Conceived fine, twice.

But since I got older I have to be careful about eating carbs and start to get symptoms of diabetes if I put on weight.

OP -- your gp has a rubbish attitude.

CoverYourEarsTeam · 28/09/2017 02:38

Another one here. Diagnosed nearly 20 years ago, and have always been slim (50-55kg and a size 8-10).
By way of sharing the news, the specialist told me I should be Greek and hairy and 20kg heaver ... and BTW, would need fertility treatment to have children. Quite a shock then, to go for an ultrasound to confirm and be told I was 8 weeks pregnant.
I have used herbal and Chinese medicines and diet to manage my PCOS, and have a second DS, also conceived naturally. Perimenopausal and mid40s, I'm heavier (~65kg) but still not overweight.
I developed Hashimoto's thyroiditis after my second pregnancy. It resolved itself, although I continue to monitor - hormone levels are OK, but do need watching.
I also have high levels of cholesterol (good and bad), although not enough for medication.
I turned to a naturopath because I found conventional doctors (GPs and specialists) to be completely unsympathetic to more mild symptoms/not wanting to conceive. All I was ever offered was the pill to regulate periods - nothing more if you didn't want to take the pill.
I had hoped treatments had improved, as there does seem to be much more awareness around PCOS these days. I agree with PP, OP, your doctor's attitude is shit - the more management of your PCOS (if you have it) you do now, the easier the long-term management will be.

brownfang · 28/09/2017 06:01

Someone told me that she was told she would never conceive (I don't know why, but it's always sounded like PCOS) so she went out & bought a sports car, promptly fell preggers.

That's interesting about acne being only symptom. My dad & my cousin both had noticeable acne into late 20s or later, so it seemed normal that I was same. Dad is a furball & I have furry arms.