To the Endo, go I (May be TMI for men-folk).
Well, today I go to my first endocrinologist, ever.
I fired my old doc a couple of months ago when I started having weird BP issues after being given some medication that I'd been on before, but not while also on BP meds. The BP meds I'm on have also resulted in low sodium in my blood levels as well as wacky BUN/Creatinine ratios which may well make the doc think I've developed kidney issues. I sure hope not. I don't THINK I have kidney issues, and the blood work went wonky right after she doubled my dose - which also resulted in me drinking more due to always feeling dehydrated. I went in for labwork about a week ago and told the tech that I was well hydrated (I drink nearly 3L of water or non-caffeinated herbal tea each day, I HAVE to be well hydrated, right?!!) he said no, I wasn't! UGH.
So, anyway, seeing the Endo. The new doctor refused to deal with my insulin and wanted me to see a diabetes specialist. Joy. On the upswing, the new Internist ALSO looked at my hair and asked if I'd ever been tested for PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome). Why no, no... I haven't. Trust me... the symptoms are definitely there though. The bloodwork that I had done seems to confirm it to me - my testosterone is up through the ROOF, nearly double the free-floating testosterone that I should have. I can't make sense of the rest of the hormone workup. It's complicated, and depends upon where in your monthly menstrual cycle. Of course, if you're irregular (BIG sign of PCOS), how the heck are you supposed to know what phase/day you're on ANYWAY if you get a period that lasts nearly a month, then don't have one for 4, have one for 3 days, and stop again for a week then start again... ad nauseam? Ah well!
PCOS would make SO much sense. Its hallmark (aside of the ovarian cysts), is ... ta da! INSULIN RESISTANCE!!! And if left untreated can lead to diabetes, even at a young age. I was always rather surprised at how young I developed diabetes, around age 26 - way younger than normal for a Type II. It's also associated with hirsutism, male pattern baldness, excessive sweating, and several other things that I've dealt with for awhile. It affects about 5-10% of women, yet oddly goes undiagnosed quite often - even by OB/GYNS.
Can't wait to get this sorted out. Hopefully I can get my cycle regulated (or just get it so that I don't have a period at all!), and see about getting my hormones regulated so my dang hair grows back to how it was when I was younger. Maybe the testosterone is what makes me so freaking aggressive and short-tempered.
I fired my old doc a couple of months ago when I started having weird BP issues after being given some medication that I'd been on before, but not while also on BP meds. The BP meds I'm on have also resulted in low sodium in my blood levels as well as wacky BUN/Creatinine ratios which may well make the doc think I've developed kidney issues. I sure hope not. I don't THINK I have kidney issues, and the blood work went wonky right after she doubled my dose - which also resulted in me drinking more due to always feeling dehydrated. I went in for labwork about a week ago and told the tech that I was well hydrated (I drink nearly 3L of water or non-caffeinated herbal tea each day, I HAVE to be well hydrated, right?!!) he said no, I wasn't! UGH.
So, anyway, seeing the Endo. The new doctor refused to deal with my insulin and wanted me to see a diabetes specialist. Joy. On the upswing, the new Internist ALSO looked at my hair and asked if I'd ever been tested for PCOS (PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome). Why no, no... I haven't. Trust me... the symptoms are definitely there though. The bloodwork that I had done seems to confirm it to me - my testosterone is up through the ROOF, nearly double the free-floating testosterone that I should have. I can't make sense of the rest of the hormone workup. It's complicated, and depends upon where in your monthly menstrual cycle. Of course, if you're irregular (BIG sign of PCOS), how the heck are you supposed to know what phase/day you're on ANYWAY if you get a period that lasts nearly a month, then don't have one for 4, have one for 3 days, and stop again for a week then start again... ad nauseam? Ah well!
PCOS would make SO much sense. Its hallmark (aside of the ovarian cysts), is ... ta da! INSULIN RESISTANCE!!! And if left untreated can lead to diabetes, even at a young age. I was always rather surprised at how young I developed diabetes, around age 26 - way younger than normal for a Type II. It's also associated with hirsutism, male pattern baldness, excessive sweating, and several other things that I've dealt with for awhile. It affects about 5-10% of women, yet oddly goes undiagnosed quite often - even by OB/GYNS.
Can't wait to get this sorted out. Hopefully I can get my cycle regulated (or just get it so that I don't have a period at all!), and see about getting my hormones regulated so my dang hair grows back to how it was when I was younger. Maybe the testosterone is what makes me so freaking aggressive and short-tempered.