I am going to a naturopath on Tuesday and want to see if she can do the tests for PCOS since I have had a hard time finding an endochrinologist to help. Can anyone tell me what tests to ask for since she may not know as much about PCOS as a specialist? In the past they only told me it may be something I have after, I think, just testing my testosterone. They didn’t do any follow up tests and that was a reproductive endochrinologist. Is it usually spironolactone that is prescribed or something else? Thanks so much,
Alli
i would also try a good gynocologist. they would also know what tests to give. you should be able to find more information about this on PCOS forums, and there are several you can find by googling.
yes, spiro is a common one as well as gluphanage, although people say spiro works better for the hair.
thanks again lagirl!! This may be a stupid Q but would a gyno at planned parenthood be good enough to know at least what tests to do and then maybe the naturopath could do them (since PP probably doesn’t have the time for that)?
alli
it really depends on the specific gyno. usually, the ones at planned parenthood are not actual doctors, but nurses.
Hi alli, I don’t know if your naturapath can do these tests, but you can go to a medical lab and get a blood test done (or your primary care physician can order the blood test and your naturopath could then decide treatment).
When I was tested, I had one to check testosterone and another that looks at leutenising hormone (LH).
Also, because I have insulin resistance, I also had a test for fasting glucose and insulin levels.
I know some women also get an ultrasound to check for cysts in the ovaries, but I hear that’s not always conclusive.
There’s a web site run for by women with pco (http://www.soulcysters.com/do_have_pcos.html) that explains some of the tests. And, of course, you could also google PCO tests.
Thanks ChicagoGal. I googled PCOS and took a printed sheet to the naturopath and she did blood tests and I will do saliva tests on Monday. The only thing that stinks is that my insurance does not cover naturopathy but I got tired of other doctors not taking me seriously. My insurance does me no good if no one will take the time to test and try and diagnose me. I’m in huge debt but I need this for peace of mind. I am going to check out that website you gave me as well.
I had an ultrasound on my ovaries 5 years ago and I did have cysts on them but I don’t remember much else, and careless me lost the results and can’t even remember which clinic helped me. HOLD ON TO YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS!! They told me PCOS was a possibility but to come back when I wanted to have kids to really find out.I’m not ready for kids but I can’t handle the increase in hair growth- every year it seems.
Are cysts not necessarily anything bad? I know it doesn’t mean for sure PCOS but is it normal? They didn’t seem too alarmed. Alli
you should be able to find information on this specifically on the soulcysters forum ChicagoGal provided. Thus the name for that forum 
That website is very good. In addition to that, may I just add a few comments?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is usually a diagnosis of exclusion,meaning, there is no single test that determines whether you have PCOS or not. A physician starts with blood tests to rule out other things. They start to develop a biochemical profile for you and these lab values may change a little as time goes on. So, basically, they are looking for a pattern of change in lab tests that may eventually point to PCOS. To complicate things, even if a woman has PCOS, some lab values may fall within normal range. It’s perplexing since there is no single lab test that definitely can conclude in a snap that a woman has PCOS. We women are complicated creatures in many ways.
Some lab tests that help start developing of an individual woman’s biochemistry pattern are:
Fasting glucose and insulin levels
Glucose tolerance test to check for insulin resistance (measures the body’s ability to process sugar after eating). This is one of those must have tests.
Leutinizing hormone is checked (LH)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Free testosterone levels
DHEAS (too big of word to type)
prolactin levels
thyroid stimulating hormone (THS) to see if a woman has an under-active thyroid
cholesterol, good kind (HDL) and bad kind (LDL)and triglycerides
sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG)
Note: I have to admit that I had to look some of these up because I always leave one or two out. One of these days I’ll be able to rattle them off from memory.
Lastly, concerning ultrasound to check for ovarian cysts. A sonogram or ultrasound (same thing) cannot be used to make a definite diagnosis because women who don’t have a PCOS profile can have cysts, too, with no signs or symptoms associated with PCOS.
This was probably more information than you need, but maybe there are others out there that would appreciate knowing this.
Thanks,
Dee