Question:
HORMONES !!

I was told that my testosterone (?sp?) level in my blood work is elevated (normal range from 0 - 1 and mine at 10.something). My doctor is wanting me to do more testing to "rule out" other things. Couldn't this be the reason to my excess facial hair that has showed up after my hysterectomy? I was told before my hormones were normal. Is this something that could hurt me if not "fixed" prior to my lap RNY - it's scheduled for April 9th. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Anyone hit this before?    — Lisa J. (posted on March 27, 2002)

March 27, 2002
L.J., it sounds like you may have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). It's pretty common in obese women, and doctors have become a lot more aware of it and concerned about it in the past few years. It's related to insulin resistance, and if that's what you have, it should improve or go away once you lose weight. My doctor thinks I may have it too, and I'm hoping she's right. It will be one more comorbidity to add to my list for the insurance company!
   — Tally

March 27, 2002
It sounds like PCOS to me too. There is no 'cure' for it, but weight loss does help the symptoms (as well as some medications, but they usually take a few months to kick in). I don't know how your hysterectomy factors in. Hope others can give you more specific answers! Good Luck to you!
   — Angela B.

March 27, 2002
Polycycstic - what cha ma call it - that's exactly what the nurse said she wanted to test me for - I've never heard of it and never thought I had to worry about anything with the word ovary in it because I've only had a small portion for most of my life. I had an ovarian tumor at 13 and they pulled out the entire left one and the majority of the other one - in fact, so much they didn't think I'd be able to have children although I've had one before the hysterectomy. The only thing I noticed after the hysterectomy was the facial hair but after reading the side effects from the name you guys mentioned - it's me !! I had every single one of them less the balding but that's because I'm a chi-chia pet type of person ( lots of hair ). I go test in the morning to hopefully get the right levels of medications or balance....weird someone didn't find this before. Thanks for your help !!
   — Lisa J.

June 4, 2002
This is an old question/topic but I just wanted to say that just because PCOS mentions 'ovaries' in it's name- it is not a condition that you actually need an ovary, in order to have it. What I mean is, you can have a full hysterectomy and still suffer from PCOS. It's a endocrine disorder, the name PCOS, is a bit misleading. It can affect your periods/ovaries etc. if you have them- if you don't it can still do it's magic, just elsewhere!
   — Karen R.