Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes

[Kelli D]

I have just read a VERY interesting article in the Spring 2003 issue of Conquest - a publication produced by Diabetes Australia.

It is an article written by Dr Warren Kidson that discusses the fact that women diagnosed with PCOS are at a "markedly increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes or an in-between category called impaired glucose tolerance".
I had never heard of this fact and found it to be quite interesting, especially considering that it took me a long time to become pregnant and I also developed gestational diabetes while pregnant.

If I get time (ha ha - 18 month old daughter in tow) I will type out the article in full and post it here.

Maybe anyone suffering PCOS should ask their doctor about this fact, and even keep an eye out for symptoms of diabetes themselves.

Hope this helps

Best wishes

[Rouge]

One of the first things that a "good" doctor should do when you have been diagnosed with PCOS is to inform you of this. And do regular glucose tests (I am about to go for another shortly) to keep an eye out for T2 Diabetes. Often the reason why women with PCOS gain or find it hard to lose weight is due to Insulin Resistance which often leads to Diabetes also.

Also Gestational Diabetes is more common in women with PCOS...another thing to look out for.

*hugs*
Cailin

[Kelli D]

Hi Cailin

Looks like most the doctors I have been to have been duds lol!!

None wanted to really follow up why I was not conceiving and weren't concerned about me having elevated bsl's!!! :roll: Maybe it's because I live remotely??

Then again, I have not been "officially" diagnosed with PCOS - certainly have all the symptoms though.

I am so glad that you have a knowledgable and trustworthy GP!!

[Rouge]

This is going to sound funny, but I have a few gf's who live in perth who suffer from PCOS (we used to live there) and they have all been misdiagnosed or gone undiagnosed for a long period of time. I dunno why it is. I didn't get diagnosed until I moved to Sydney...

As far as I know PCOS hasn't been recognised for that long, when I was first diagnosed in 1997 there were alot of Dr's then who didn't believe in it :shock: And it seems only now that more dr's are trying to help and educate women how to live with it and/or reduce the symptoms through diet and exercise etc. The information I first got was pretty ghastly by todays standards...but I guess this happens with all newly recognised disorders. I remember when Endometriosis was not commonly recognised.

Anyway sorry to hear you have had "dudd" doctors (I didn't even realise you had PCOS lol, I thought you were just being helpful!). I would seriously recommend searching around for a doctor that knows something about PCOS and that could possibly get you in touch with a specialist etc.

However in the meantime, the Dr I saw recently Recommended the book "A Patients guide to the Polycystic Ovary" By Professor Gab Kovacs. I haven't yet had a chance to get a copy but I have seen online that it is recommended by the PCOS Assoc. of Aus. so it might be worth a look

Anyway if there is anything that you are unsure of and you think I might be able to help let me know

*GBH's*
Cailin

Hi Ladies

I too have PCOS, and have been diagnosed as being Insulin Resistant. Not everyone who has PCOS has this, but in most cases it is there.

I found this link tonight to (link removed). This is what they are saying people with PCOS should be treated with, Metformin. This is an info sheet on why, and how it can help.

Hope this helps!!

Mandi
xxx

[dinky]

Hi

I had gestational diabetes with my first daughter, now 10, didnt have it with the second, now 7.
I was TTC for almost 18 months when I was finally diagnosed with PCOS. That was almost 3 years ago, I was also a borderline Type 2 diabetic.
I decided that I had to do something about my weight, so had lapband surgery in May 2002. I have since lost 50 kgs, gone from a size 26 to a size 16 and feel so much better.
I no longer have any signs of diabetes.
I am on Clomid, but have been taking Metformin with that so that it is absorbed properly, that is what my OB says anway.
It worked, I got PG on the first cycle, but unfortunately it ended badly with a missed m/c, then I had to have a D&C and I have now taken a second course of Clomid and Metformin, and I am now officially 1 week overdue for AF, off to the GP tomorrow to try to find some answers.

Fingers crossed :?

[Astrolady]

Congratulations on your weight loss Dinky that is a fantastic effort !!!

Love

[Rouge]

Congratulations Dinky thats fantastic Well done!

*hugs*
Cailin

Yayy Dinky that weightloss is awesome!!

I too have had the Lapbanding done, except I have lost it alot slower than you!! I had it done in April 2002, and have lost 30kilos. Only 30 to go before I hit my goal weight, and hopefully the pcos will be heaps better!! I too was borderline Diabetic, and now (as of 1 1/2 mths ago) my levels have dropped heaps and I'm no longer in a 'danger' catergory, which is a huge weight off my mind!! I am still being treated with Metformin for the pcos, and actually have to watch that my levels don't drop too low! A big difference there, but thats ok, I can handle that

Good luck with TTC, I hope that AF has stayed away for a good reason!!

Let us know how you go

Hugs
Mandi
xxx

Hi Girls!

Wow, Dinky and Mandi - what great success stories - your weight loss is amazing!! Well done.

To be honest girls, the lapbanding really scares me, so for the moment, I'm trying diet and exercise combined with Metformin.

Although my sister, also a BB member (Kelly74) has just had the lapbanding done and has lost 7kg already in just under 2wks. When she fixes her computer, she will most likely pop on and have a chat to you both.

I too, have PCOS, diagnosed in 1995. I didn't get gestational diabetes with my healthy pregnancy and this really surprised my OB as he thought for sure I'd develop it. But I did eat very well during pregnancy. My Mum has diabetes, so it really concerns me, which is why I'm finally doing something about my weight.

Any news Dinky - fingers crossed for you!

All the best to you all!

[Rouge]

I was the same Lisa, didn't get GD either. And my mother also has diabetes. Although my mother has type 1 diabetes.

For me I am able to control my weight somewhat with exercise and diet, although I haven't seen a size 12 since 1996 but hey I plan to get there one day! I don't think I could do the lapband surgery...I am a bit afraid of that type of thing...

Goodluck with it all, you girls are inspirational!

*hugs*
Cailin

KelliD I am in Perth too and my doctor is FANTASTIC!! He knows heaps about PCOS and he inspired us (not in a gross way! lol) to try and concieve.

If you are interested in finding out his details if it would help give me an email and I will send them to you. He is based in Edgewater so I dont know how close or far that is from you, but he is GREAT!!!

Hi Girls

My doctor must be a complete dud also as he has not tested me for type2 diabetes yet and has failed to mention anything about it! :evil:

Would anyone know a good doctor in the Brisbane area that knows alot about PCOS?I am currently trying to conceive and my gyno has given me a script for Clomid but I am currently waiting for AF to arrive so I can start taking them.I live in Kingaroy(country qld) and doctors that know anything about PCOS are hard to find.Also does anyone know if Dr John Hemming is any good as that is who I am currently Seeing?

Thanks
Kirsty

[missbelinda77]

Hi All,

Like Kirsty my original 2 gyno's that I was seeing for my PCOS never ever mentioned anything to me about T2 Diabetes, and now I have it.

I go to a great gyno now in the Southern Highlands, NSW and an endocrinologist (?) who is fantastic with my PCOS & T2 Diabetes. Sorry I can't recommend you anyone in QLD.

If the matter of T2 Diabetes hasn't come up yet, I'd be asking about it now. Of course, everyone is different, but I still think this is still unchartered waters in a lot of cases.

Hope this helps,

Belinda

Hi girls,

I'm just wondering (and having a bit of a whinge) whether there exists a RE/Gyn that consider the whole picture for their patients. I have PCOS and endo but the only reason that PCOS was diagnosed was my failure in TTC - my current RE/Gyn is helping me try fall pg by way of IVF. He glossed over the idea of metformin (in the context of assisting me falling pg) and said it was unlikely to do anything for me. I mentioned that I didn't think I'd ever been tested for insulin resistance and his response was that he would be willing to put me on Meformin (again, for TTC purposes).

My question is: should I be asking for this test, for my health considerations rather than for TTC? I have had the fasting glucose test which was fine, but as I understand it that won't reveal insulin resistance but will show up type II diabetes.

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

[moglie]

Hi ladies, that's really interesting about women with PCOS (which I also have) being more susceptable to diabetes. A nutritionalist told me that women with PCOS naturally crave more sugar which is probably a link to bringing on diabetes. I have been treated by my TCM for PCOS through acupuncture and herbs (and watching what I eat), which I have on a monthly basis and have had no signs of the PCOS since (this was almost 5 years ago!!). My ob told me the only way to fix it was to start a family, and I had just started seeing my now husband at the time!! Poor guy, lucky he wasn't scared off. The thought of me having to take drugs to fix this problem really scares me.

I hope it works for you ladies.

[missbelinda77]

sleebly - I had the choice on whether or not to take the GTT and decided that I would, just to cover all bases.

If it had of came back negative - great, at least it was ruled out, but if it was positive (which it was) then I'd rather know now and deal with it.

thanks, missbelinda, that resolves it for me: i'm going to ask my GYN/RE to send me off for testing. personally i'll be surprised if i don't have insulin resistance, as i'm always eating or craving sugary food, plus feel 'out of it' for some time after i do eat it then feel almost dizzy some hours after.

i'd love to just put my faith in alternative medicine and diet change, but my sugar cravings are so strong that any time that i try and change my eating habits i feel quite ill

i wonder why doctors don't automatically get their PCOS diagnosed patients tested for insulin resistance...