Weight loss programs, lose weight, quick, fast, hormones, women, female, secrets, tips, natural, free hormone health test

Weight loss programs, lose weight, quick, fast, hormones, women, female, secrets, tips, natural, weight loss naturopath online specialist

Weight loss programs, lose weight, quick, fast, hormones, women, female, secrets, tips, natural, lose weight naturally

Weight loss programs, lose weight, quick, fast, hormones, women, female, secrets, tips, natural, natural weightloss

PCOS Hormone Testing

Blood and Saliva Testing for PCOS

lab

PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) is a common condition that affects fertility. PCOS is a syndrome, not a disease. This means that it is reversible. Although PCOS is a very popular diagnosis this decade, it is not yet completely understood. One thing we do know: it responds very well to natural treatment.

First off, do not be too quick to accept a diagnosis. PCOS is a hormonal condition, not a problem with the ovaries. Ultrasound is NOT enough to diagnose PCOS. 25% of perfectly normal women display polycystic ovaries at one time or other (1). A subsequent ultrasound will show it to be normal again. True PCOS involves hormone irregularities that must be picked up with blood test.

Do you actually have PCOS? Do you Know Which Type? There are two types of PCOS.

Type A PCOS: Insulin-resistant PCOS

Classic PCOS has the symptoms of weight gain, failure to ovulate, infrequent periods, infertility, facial hair, acne, hair loss and a predisposition to diabetes. They key feature is high testosterone on blood test.

The high testosterone is actually the side effect, rather than the cause. In type A PCOS, The real underlying issue is insulin resistance and leptin resistance. Improper signalling from these metabolic hormones inhibit ovulation and cause the ovaries to produce testosterone. It is a problem with the metabolic hormones that is the main cause of weight gain. The symptoms of excessive testosterone, such as acne and facial hair will improve when insulin and leptin sensitivity improve.

The correct treatment for Type A PCOS is to improve insulin sensitivity and identify and reverse the causes

An endocrinologist will prescribe weight loss with a low GI diet and exercise, as well as a blood sugar lowering drug such as Metformin and the birth control pill to regulate your cycle. Although this is the correct approach, metformin does have side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal bloating.

Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to metformin. In my experience, the natural supplements lower blood sugar as well, if not better, than Metformin.

Type B PCOS: Non-insulin-resistant PCOS

What if you have confirmed PCOS, but your insulin and blood sugar are normal?

The ultrasound may show multiple, undeveloped follicles. LH may be elevated, and periods do not occur regularly. Testosterone may be high or normal. If testosterone is normal, the acne and facial hair exist because oestrogen is too low (compared to testosteorne). Body weight can be normal.

In insulin-resistant Type B PCOS, the ovaries were prevented from ovulating because of insulin. In type B PCOS, the ovaries are prevented from ovulating because of something else. But what?

Metformin is not a treatment for Type B PCOS. Nor is the Pill. The Pill will induce monthly bleed this is not actually a treatment. For those women whose PCOS has been caused by the pill, continued use will only worsen the problem.

Many cases of PCOS are temporary. More specifically, many cases of so-called PCOS that we see in our clinic can more accurately be described as post-Pill syndrome. Your doctor will not tell you this, but it is a medically recognised fact that it can take up to 2 years for normal ovulation to resume after stopping the Pill. (2)(3)

Blood tests necessary to diagnose both types of PCOS correctly are:

Full spectrum testing and analysis for PCOS is available at MassAttack. Completing my Comprehensive Health and Hormone Assessment is the first place to start.

(1) Polson DW et al. Lancet. Polycystic ovaries a common finding in normal women.1988 Apr 16;1(8590):870-2.

(2) Diamanti-Kandarakis E. P2-395. Presented at: The Endocrine Society 92nd Annual Meeting and Expo; June 19-22, 2010; San Diego.

(3) Farrow, A et al. Prolonged use of oral contraception before a planned pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of delayed conception. Hum Reprod. 2002. 17(10): 2754-61

Thyroid Hormones | Reproductive Hormones | Adrenal Hormones | Metabolic Hormones | Menopausal Hormones