Guest guest Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Hi Dana, I can't really comment on any of your symptoms or questions. But, I have found Grassi and her materials to be invaluable: agrassi@... Penny L. , PhD, RD, LD Dietitian, Ironman Sports Medicine Institute at Memorial Hermann http://ironman.memorialhermann.org/ Owner, Eating for Performance www.eatingforperformance.com > ** > > > I personally was diagnosed with PCOS this week. My only symptoms were > heavier than normal periods and midcycle bleeding that lasts 4 to 9 days > depending on the month. For years I have tried different doctors who > performed sonograms and took (the wrong) lab work but were stumped by what > was causing my bleeding. Again and again I was just told to go back on birth > control. I am 34 years old and was hoping to start a family in the near > future and now everything is turned upside down. I was diagnosed by elevated > LH (5x higher than normal) and estridiol at 100. All other labs normal > (testosterone, THS, iron, ect). I never suspected PCOS because I don't have > any of the typically listed symptoms. I get my period like clock work, I am > 5'4 " and 117#, I have always been thin. I do not have thinning hair, acne or > abnormal body hair etc. I am not sure if I am ovulating but pretty sure I am > not from previous attempts to become pregnant and ovulation predictor kits. > I have begun to do quite a bit of research but have many questions. I don't > think the doctor tested me for IR. I am seeing a lot of conflicting > information regarding IR (if it plays a roll or not) and women who are not > over weight with PCOS. I can not afford to loose more than 5#. I am willing > to do a very carb controlled diet but am not really ready to go to the > extremes of the GAPS diet or anything like that. If anything Ayurvedic type > diets and herbs may be the way to go. I have been taking VITEX for about 5 > months with no improvement in my bleeding patterns. I have also started Saw > Palmetto and thinking about Estrofactor by Metagenics. I am learning that > there is a strong connection between liver detoxification and removing high > levels of hormones. I take 3000mg of fish oil religiously for about 1 year > and high levels of probiotics. > What I am looking for is your advice and expertise in PCOS. Any one > experienced with thin women who have the syndrome? Any protocols that work > for these women? > Thanks so much for reading my story and for your guidance! > > Dana O'Connell MS RD LD > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2011 Report Share Posted July 29, 2011 Dana, Hold on and hang on. Getting this diagnosis, at your age, when you're trying to start a family, is statistically as stressful as a diagnosis of terminal cancer. There is a lot of temptation to jump into anything you're promised, and that could complicate your case. Plus, the stress just makes things worse. Lean women with PCOS have a really hard time getting their diagnosis, because it's so often associated with weight. " lean pcos " is actually one of the most common search terms bringing people to our blog, because there's so little information out there about that variation on the disorder. I actually think the percentage of women with PCOS who are lean is much higher than reported. The good news is, you have a diagnosis and that means you have a foundation on which to build a healthy action plan. If you're interested, check out our Facebook page. We've got a really nice, chatty group of women who work hard to encourage each other. I don't let them stay stuck in the panic. And we've got some nice success stories in the group as well, some from lean women. inCYST Programs for Women with PCOS. Monika M. Woolsey, MS, RD http://www.incyst.com > > I personally was diagnosed with PCOS this week. My only symptoms were heavier than normal periods and midcycle bleeding that lasts 4 to 9 days depending on the month. For years I have tried different doctors who performed sonograms and took (the wrong) lab work but were stumped by what was causing my bleeding. Again and again I was just told to go back on birth control. I am 34 years old and was hoping to start a family in the near future and now everything is turned upside down. I was diagnosed by elevated LH (5x higher than normal) and estridiol at 100. All other labs normal (testosterone, THS, iron, ect). I never suspected PCOS because I don't have any of the typically listed symptoms. I get my period like clock work, I am 5'4 " and 117#, I have always been thin. I do not have thinning hair, acne or abnormal body hair etc. I am not sure if I am ovulating but pretty sure I am not from previous attempts to become pregnant and ovulation predictor kits. > I have begun to do quite a bit of research but have many questions. I don't think the doctor tested me for IR. I am seeing a lot of conflicting information regarding IR (if it plays a roll or not) and women who are not over weight with PCOS. I can not afford to loose more than 5#. I am willing to do a very carb controlled diet but am not really ready to go to the extremes of the GAPS diet or anything like that. If anything Ayurvedic type diets and herbs may be the way to go. I have been taking VITEX for about 5 months with no improvement in my bleeding patterns. I have also started Saw Palmetto and thinking about Estrofactor by Metagenics. I am learning that there is a strong connection between liver detoxification and removing high levels of hormones. I take 3000mg of fish oil religiously for about 1 year and high levels of probiotics. > What I am looking for is your advice and expertise in PCOS. Any one experienced with thin women who have the syndrome? Any protocols that work for these women? > Thanks so much for reading my story and for your guidance! > > Dana O'Connell MS RD LD > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Dana, sorry to hear you got diagnosed with PCOS. The bright side is that PCOS can be managed with healthy diet and exercise, helping you prevent diabetes Yes, you can can PCOS and have monthly periods. Yes, you can be thin and have PCOS. It has been proposed that all women with PCOS have insulin resistance. I actually was talking with a reproductive endocrinologist last week who believes that thin women may be more insulin resistant than heavy women. Because of the IR, the best diet for ALL women with PCOS is a low GI one rich in omega-3 fats (you got that covered) and exercise. A low carb diet has not shown to be effective and can lead to bingeing. Consider supplementation with magnesium, vitamin D and inositol, all of which can lower insulin. You may find the information I present on diet for PCOS in The Dietitian's Guide to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome supportive. Please feel free to contact me privatel with specific questions. -- Grassi, MS, RD, LDN The PCOS Nutrition Center 551 West Lancaster Avenue, Suite 305 Haverford, PA 19041 www.PCOSnutritionCenter.com Now Available! The PCOS Workbook: Your Guide to Complete Physical and Emotional Health, The Dietitian's Guide to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with self-study course and PCOS Nutrition Handout CD Series. Sign up for FREE PCOS Nutrition Tips. Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/angelagrassi Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-PCOS-Nutrition-Center/141014599267433?v=wall Twitter: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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