might I have PCOS? help - what to ask my doc

I've been reading about PCOS, and wonder if I should be tested for this.  I have always had crazy irregular periods, although that improved when I was on the pill, and now that I have lost almost 100 lbs.  Dark facial hair - a lot, since I was 14 or so, seems to be worsening horribly with age, boils (which I was just reading about on another thread here), maybe 15-20 skin tags ...  And I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy, and seem to have had blood sugar issues my whole life (used to faint from low blood sugar, and post-WLS am having hypoglycemia if I don'****ch it and stay low carb & eat often enough).  Can you help me with what to ask my doctor?  I have talked about some of these issues with him in the past - is there a specific test or something that would help to clarify whether all of this might be linked to PCOS? --Sarah

I have had pcos since i'v been in highschool so..umm around 10  years now
and all the symptons you just said you had sounds like everything i have
the facial hair and irregular periods are big signs of pcos
just be honest with  your doctors
tell him/or/her that you have been doing some reserches and that you are concerned you might have pcos and ask him/or/her what they think
al it takes is is some blood work and they should be able to dignosed you
but haveing all the other sings it sounds like you do

if you have any questions please feel free to email me

best of wishes!!

I would highly recommend getting this book from the Library "Living with PCOS". There is a list of labs that are normally run to check for PCOS. It lists the "normal- normal range" and "normal range" used by doctors that may actually indicate PCOS. I would make a copy of that page and take it into your doctors and ask for that bloodwork to be done. then when the results come back in ask your doctor for a copy of the results - not just read off to you- but an actual copy. Review it with your doctor and compare it to the book.

Unfortunately for many with PCOS, your blood work shows you within the "normal range", but generally at the higher end. Also with being in the higher end of normal on more than a few of the tests, when put together could indicate PCOS.

I would also check out soulcysters.com .