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Kathy

New York,
03.10.2007, 20:14

Test results - need help (PCOS & Hair Loss)
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Hello Ladies

I am a little concerned about my test results and was really wondering if this could be a symptom of PCOS - high testosterone?

Here is the results :
Testosterone, serum - 25 --------------------- (range 14-76)
Testosterone, % Free & Weak - 38.4 *HIGH* ----------- (range 3.0 - 18.0)
Testosterone, F&W Bound - 9.6 *HIGH* ---------------- (range 0.0 - 9.5)

ACTH, plasma (within normal range) 19

TSH - 1.247 ---------------------------------- (range 0.470-4.200)
Free T4 - 0.85 *LOW* ------------------------------- (range 0.89-1.76)
Follicle Stimulating hormone - 8.5
Luteinizing hormone - 3.52
Prolactin - 7.2 ------------------------------------ (range 3.0-19.0)

Just curious what others think about this high testosterone, and if anyone else has this? I'm kinda freaking out at the moment.

Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO

delilah

03.10.2007, 22:45

@ Kathy
Test results - need help
Post reply

Hi Kathy,

How old are you and are you in peri? It seems high to me do you have any symptoms out of the ordinary?

delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

04.10.2007, 08:32

@ delilah
Test results - need help
Post reply

It does seem high, hon. From what I have read it is bad to have high free testosterone, because that is the amount that is unbound and free to covert to DHT and attack your hair.Your regular T looks fine though.
There are several meds that can lower that, however, and could help.

Again, how old are you and did you have your estrogen tested?

i would definitely be worried about the high free T...badb bad for your hair.

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

lina

04.10.2007, 10:12

@ Kathy
Test results - need help
Post reply

High testosterone is a sympthom of PCOS but nor alone. LH/FSH quotient is fine. It yout menstruation is regulate and you don't habe any other pcos sympthomes (PCO ?) it is actually hard to put a pcos diagnostic..

lina is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

alli

04.10.2007, 11:11

@ Kathy
Test results - need help
Post reply

� Hello Ladies
�
� I am a little concerned about my test results and was really wondering if
� this could be a symptom of PCOS - high testosterone?
�
� Here is the results :
� Testosterone, serum - 25 --------------------- (range 14-76)
� Testosterone, % Free & Weak - 38.4 *HIGH* ----------- (range 3.0 - 18.0)
� Testosterone, F&W Bound - 9.6 *HIGH* ---------------- (range 0.0 - 9.5)
�
� ACTH, plasma (within normal range) 19
�
� TSH - 1.247 ---------------------------------- (range 0.470-4.200)
� Free T4 - 0.85 *LOW* ------------------------------- (range 0.89-1.76)
� Follicle Stimulating hormone - 8.5
� Luteinizing hormone - 3.52
� Prolactin - 7.2 ------------------------------------ (range 3.0-19.0)
�
� Just curious what others think about this high testosterone, and if anyone
� else has this? I'm kinda freaking out at the moment.

Kathy - your free T is extremely high. I have many friends with pcos and hairloss and your free T is the highest I've ever seen. The good news is that it is almost certainly causing you hairloss and you can take meds to fix it. BCPs can help by raising your SGHB (I can never remember that one) and there are antiandrogens that can help lower it. I don't know if it means you have pcos - but that T is an issue for hair big time. For reference - I was losing hair when my free T was 8.9...

alli is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Sadie

04.10.2007, 11:11

@ lina
Test results - need help
Post reply

In any event, PCOS is diagnosed with blood tests AND an ultrasound. Dont be fooled by the bloodwork alone as blood test results can be a "snap shot" of what is going on in your body AT THAT TIME only.

Sadie is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Chris

04.10.2007, 12:20

@ alli
Test results - need help
Post reply

Okay, so now I went and reviewed my blood tests and realized that:
Testosterone, % FREE = 0.8 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.9 - 3.8
Testosterone, FREE = 0.2 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.3 - 1.9
What does this mean? Is this something I should be concerned about, anyone?

Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

04.10.2007, 12:59

@ Chris
Test results - need help
Post reply

from what I read, low testosterone does not cause hair loss. but if your worried I would ask a doc about it.

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Kathy

New York,
04.10.2007, 21:10

@ delilah
Test results - need help
Post reply

Thank you all for answering!

I am 46 and yes I think I am in peri. I've had irregular periods since last year.

In the beginning of this past summer I've been feeling "blah" and not having much energy at all. In July is when I noticed I was losing more hair than normal. Right now I don't have an acne problem or any unusual hair growth (you know, where we ladies don't want hair). I had an appointment to see my GYN this coming Monday for my yearly, but I had to cancel it for the following week because I started my period. I was hoping I wouldn't start my period until AFTER! Anyway, I am anxious to see him and bring him a copy of my blood work so maybe he can see about getting me in for an ultrasound or a CT scan to look for any cysts. I had an ovarian cyst in Feb. '06, but nothing was done about it. My primary doctor said it would more than likely shrink on it's own. I was hoping they'd keep an eye on it.

I just don't understand this whole excess T stuff! It is really making me panic and wondering what is going on inside my body. At least for now my voice hasn't deepened - let's just say, I am really scared. Last year at this time my free & weak % was a little high (if I remember right, it was around 20), but now it is 38!!! I just don't understand why it went up 18 points! Also, what bums me out is I'm on Spiro and I thought the Spiro was suppose to lower my T. My Spiro dosage is 50 mgs. I asked my Endo if he should raise my dosage and he said no to keep it where it is.

Kathy

� Hi Kathy,
�
� How old are you and are you in peri? It seems high to me do you have any
� symptoms out of the ordinary?

Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO

Kathy

New York,
04.10.2007, 21:17

@ Chris
Test results - need help
Post reply

Gosh, I wish my T was that low :-) I really think my high T is causing my hair loss. Do you lose a lot of hair?

� Okay, so now I went and reviewed my blood tests and realized that:
� Testosterone, % FREE = 0.8 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.9 - 3.8
� Testosterone, FREE = 0.2 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.3 - 1.9
� What does this mean? Is this something I should be concerned about,
� anyone?

Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO

delilah

05.10.2007, 06:41

@ Kathy
Test results - need help
Post reply

That's a low dose of Spiro you probably need more. Maybe the fact that you're in peri and your estrogen levels are going down is what's causing the T to shoot up. Maybe you should consider going to another endocrinologist.

delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

delilah

05.10.2007, 06:42

@ Kathy
Test results - need help
Post reply

I think it is causing your HL for sure.

delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Chris

05.10.2007, 09:13

@ delilah
Test results - need help
Post reply

Do you guys think that my low T is causing my hl? How come the docs didn't notice this? UGH!!! I called my derm yesterday and asked to be re-tested for this. I probably won't get to do it until Monday, though. And yes, I have lost tons of hair. I'm using Rogaine and still shedding close to 200 hairs after wshing. I've also been shedding for the last 2 years You have no idea how bad my hair is. Some of you say that probably only you notice how thin your hair has gotten. Well, everyone in my family can see it and my husband has expecially mentioned how bad it's gotten. Thank goodness I have a wig but, like someone else here mentioned, I can't workout in a wig!

Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Chris

05.10.2007, 09:15

@ Chris
P.S.
Post reply

Ssorry for all of the typos in my post!

Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

lina

05.10.2007, 09:41
(edited by lina, 05.10.2007, 09:48)

@ Chris
Test results - need help
Post reply

� Do you guys think that my low T is causing my hl? How come the docs didn't
� notice this? UGH!!! I called my derm yesterday and asked to be re-tested
� for this. I probably won't get to do it until Monday, though. And yes, I
� have lost tons of hair. I'm using Rogaine and still shedding close to 200
� hairs after wshing. I've also been shedding for the last 2 years You
� have no idea how bad my hair is. Some of you say that probably only you
� notice how thin your hair has gotten. Well, everyone in my family can see
� it and my husband has expecially mentioned how bad it's gotten. Thank
� goodness I have a wig but, like someone else here mentioned, I can't
� workout in a wig!

No, low testosteron is not causing hair loss. Actually all antiandrogens STOPPING hairloss are making testosterone lower than normal. Low testosterone is good when having hairloss.
What kind of a wig do you have?

lina is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

05.10.2007, 11:57

@ delilah
Test results - need help
Post reply

� I think it is causing your HL for sure.

I agree...getting on an anti-androgen ASAP could really help you.

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

V

05.10.2007, 11:58

@ lina
Test results - need help
Post reply

� �
� No, low testosteron is not causing hair loss. Actually all antiandrogens
� STOPPING hairloss are making testosterone lower than normal. Low
� testosterone is good when having hairloss.

I agree, low testosterone does not cause hair loss. or atleast i have never read or seen anything that suggested that. You can have very low testosterone and still have AGA.

V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Kathy

New York,
06.01.2008, 20:48

@ Kathy
Update
Post reply

I posted my blood test results a while back and just wanted to update you all.

My shedding has decreased considerably in the past month, so hopefully (fingers crossed) this all will be behind me. I really think stress had something to do with the hair loss. Not quite sure if it were because of my higher testosterone levels. I will be getting another of the same blood work done in February, so I will let you all know if it was the testosterone that caused my hair loss. But WOW! I am glad this is finally over with (hopefully) :-)

Kathy

Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO

tazmepeg

07.01.2008, 11:10

@ Kathy
Update
Post reply

� I posted my blood test results a while back and just wanted to update you
� all.
�
� My shedding has decreased considerably in the past month, so hopefully
� (fingers crossed) this all will be behind me. I really think stress had
� something to do with the hair loss. Not quite sure if it were because of
� my higher testosterone levels. I will be getting another of the same blood
� work done in February, so I will let you all know if it was the
� testosterone that caused my hair loss. But WOW! I am glad this is finally
� over with (hopefully) :-)
�
� Kathy

How do you think you might have lowered your T? Are you still taking spiro?

tazmepeg is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO

Kathy New York, 03.10.2007, 20:14	Test results - need help (PCOS & Hair Loss) Post reply
	Hello Ladies I am a little concerned about my test results and was really wondering if this could be a symptom of PCOS - high testosterone? Here is the results : Testosterone, serum - 25 --------------------- (range 14-76) Testosterone, % Free & Weak - 38.4 HIGH ----------- (range 3.0 - 18.0) Testosterone, F&W Bound - 9.6 HIGH ---------------- (range 0.0 - 9.5) ACTH, plasma (within normal range) 19 TSH - 1.247 ---------------------------------- (range 0.470-4.200) Free T4 - 0.85 LOW ------------------------------- (range 0.89-1.76) Follicle Stimulating hormone - 8.5 Luteinizing hormone - 3.52 Prolactin - 7.2 ------------------------------------ (range 3.0-19.0) Just curious what others think about this high testosterone, and if anyone else has this? I'm kinda freaking out at the moment. Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 03.10.2007, 22:45 @ Kathy	Test results - need help Post reply
	Hi Kathy, How old are you and are you in peri? It seems high to me do you have any symptoms out of the ordinary? delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 04.10.2007, 08:32 @ delilah	Test results - need help Post reply
	It does seem high, hon. From what I have read it is bad to have high free testosterone, because that is the amount that is unbound and free to covert to DHT and attack your hair.Your regular T looks fine though. There are several meds that can lower that, however, and could help. Again, how old are you and did you have your estrogen tested? i would definitely be worried about the high free T...badb bad for your hair. V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
lina 04.10.2007, 10:12 @ Kathy	Test results - need help Post reply
	High testosterone is a sympthom of PCOS but nor alone. LH/FSH quotient is fine. It yout menstruation is regulate and you don't habe any other pcos sympthomes (PCO ?) it is actually hard to put a pcos diagnostic.. lina is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
alli 04.10.2007, 11:11 @ Kathy	Test results - need help Post reply
	� Hello Ladies � � I am a little concerned about my test results and was really wondering if � this could be a symptom of PCOS - high testosterone? � � Here is the results : � Testosterone, serum - 25 --------------------- (range 14-76) � Testosterone, % Free & Weak - 38.4 HIGH ----------- (range 3.0 - 18.0) � Testosterone, F&W Bound - 9.6 HIGH ---------------- (range 0.0 - 9.5) � � ACTH, plasma (within normal range) 19 � � TSH - 1.247 ---------------------------------- (range 0.470-4.200) � Free T4 - 0.85 LOW ------------------------------- (range 0.89-1.76) � Follicle Stimulating hormone - 8.5 � Luteinizing hormone - 3.52 � Prolactin - 7.2 ------------------------------------ (range 3.0-19.0) � � Just curious what others think about this high testosterone, and if anyone � else has this? I'm kinda freaking out at the moment. Kathy - your free T is extremely high. I have many friends with pcos and hairloss and your free T is the highest I've ever seen. The good news is that it is almost certainly causing you hairloss and you can take meds to fix it. BCPs can help by raising your SGHB (I can never remember that one) and there are antiandrogens that can help lower it. I don't know if it means you have pcos - but that T is an issue for hair big time. For reference - I was losing hair when my free T was 8.9... alli is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Sadie 04.10.2007, 11:11 @ lina	Test results - need help Post reply
	In any event, PCOS is diagnosed with blood tests AND an ultrasound. Dont be fooled by the bloodwork alone as blood test results can be a "snap shot" of what is going on in your body AT THAT TIME only. Sadie is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Chris 04.10.2007, 12:20 @ alli	Test results - need help Post reply
	Okay, so now I went and reviewed my blood tests and realized that: Testosterone, % FREE = 0.8 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.9 - 3.8 Testosterone, FREE = 0.2 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.3 - 1.9 What does this mean? Is this something I should be concerned about, anyone? Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 04.10.2007, 12:59 @ Chris	Test results - need help Post reply
	from what I read, low testosterone does not cause hair loss. but if your worried I would ask a doc about it. V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Kathy New York, 04.10.2007, 21:10 @ delilah	Test results - need help Post reply
	Thank you all for answering! I am 46 and yes I think I am in peri. I've had irregular periods since last year. In the beginning of this past summer I've been feeling "blah" and not having much energy at all. In July is when I noticed I was losing more hair than normal. Right now I don't have an acne problem or any unusual hair growth (you know, where we ladies don't want hair). I had an appointment to see my GYN this coming Monday for my yearly, but I had to cancel it for the following week because I started my period. I was hoping I wouldn't start my period until AFTER! Anyway, I am anxious to see him and bring him a copy of my blood work so maybe he can see about getting me in for an ultrasound or a CT scan to look for any cysts. I had an ovarian cyst in Feb. '06, but nothing was done about it. My primary doctor said it would more than likely shrink on it's own. I was hoping they'd keep an eye on it. I just don't understand this whole excess T stuff! It is really making me panic and wondering what is going on inside my body. At least for now my voice hasn't deepened - let's just say, I am really scared. Last year at this time my free & weak % was a little high (if I remember right, it was around 20), but now it is 38!!! I just don't understand why it went up 18 points! Also, what bums me out is I'm on Spiro and I thought the Spiro was suppose to lower my T. My Spiro dosage is 50 mgs. I asked my Endo if he should raise my dosage and he said no to keep it where it is. Kathy � Hi Kathy, � � How old are you and are you in peri? It seems high to me do you have any � symptoms out of the ordinary? Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO
Kathy New York, 04.10.2007, 21:17 @ Chris	Test results - need help Post reply
	Gosh, I wish my T was that low I really think my high T is causing my hair loss. Do you lose a lot of hair? � Okay, so now I went and reviewed my blood tests and realized that: � Testosterone, % FREE = 0.8 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.9 - 3.8 � Testosterone, FREE = 0.2 (abnormal: low) Range = 0.3 - 1.9 � What does this mean? Is this something I should be concerned about, � anyone? Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 05.10.2007, 06:41 @ Kathy	Test results - need help Post reply
	That's a low dose of Spiro you probably need more. Maybe the fact that you're in peri and your estrogen levels are going down is what's causing the T to shoot up. Maybe you should consider going to another endocrinologist. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
delilah 05.10.2007, 06:42 @ Kathy	Test results - need help Post reply
	I think it is causing your HL for sure. delilah is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Chris 05.10.2007, 09:13 @ delilah	Test results - need help Post reply
	Do you guys think that my low T is causing my hl? How come the docs didn't notice this? UGH!!! I called my derm yesterday and asked to be re-tested for this. I probably won't get to do it until Monday, though. And yes, I have lost tons of hair. I'm using Rogaine and still shedding close to 200 hairs after wshing. I've also been shedding for the last 2 years You have no idea how bad my hair is. Some of you say that probably only you notice how thin your hair has gotten. Well, everyone in my family can see it and my husband has expecially mentioned how bad it's gotten. Thank goodness I have a wig but, like someone else here mentioned, I can't workout in a wig! Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Chris 05.10.2007, 09:15 @ Chris	P.S. Post reply
	Ssorry for all of the typos in my post! Chris is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
lina 05.10.2007, 09:41 (edited by lina, 05.10.2007, 09:48) @ Chris	Test results - need help Post reply
	� Do you guys think that my low T is causing my hl? How come the docs didn't � notice this? UGH!!! I called my derm yesterday and asked to be re-tested � for this. I probably won't get to do it until Monday, though. And yes, I � have lost tons of hair. I'm using Rogaine and still shedding close to 200 � hairs after wshing. I've also been shedding for the last 2 years You � have no idea how bad my hair is. Some of you say that probably only you � notice how thin your hair has gotten. Well, everyone in my family can see � it and my husband has expecially mentioned how bad it's gotten. Thank � goodness I have a wig but, like someone else here mentioned, I can't � workout in a wig! No, low testosteron is not causing hair loss. Actually all antiandrogens STOPPING hairloss are making testosterone lower than normal. Low testosterone is good when having hairloss. What kind of a wig do you have? lina is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 05.10.2007, 11:57 @ delilah	Test results - need help Post reply
	� I think it is causing your HL for sure. I agree...getting on an anti-androgen ASAP could really help you. V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
V 05.10.2007, 11:58 @ lina	Test results - need help Post reply
	� � � No, low testosteron is not causing hair loss. Actually all antiandrogens � STOPPING hairloss are making testosterone lower than normal. Low � testosterone is good when having hairloss. I agree, low testosterone does not cause hair loss. or atleast i have never read or seen anything that suggested that. You can have very low testosterone and still have AGA. V is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Kathy New York, 06.01.2008, 20:48 @ Kathy	Update Post reply
	I posted my blood test results a while back and just wanted to update you all. My shedding has decreased considerably in the past month, so hopefully (fingers crossed) this all will be behind me. I really think stress had something to do with the hair loss. Not quite sure if it were because of my higher testosterone levels. I will be getting another of the same blood work done in February, so I will let you all know if it was the testosterone that caused my hair loss. But WOW! I am glad this is finally over with (hopefully) Kathy Kathy is located in NEW YORK and he is available to meet: NO
tazmepeg 07.01.2008, 11:10 @ Kathy	Update Post reply
	� I posted my blood test results a while back and just wanted to update you � all. � � My shedding has decreased considerably in the past month, so hopefully � (fingers crossed) this all will be behind me. I really think stress had � something to do with the hair loss. Not quite sure if it were because of � my higher testosterone levels. I will be getting another of the same blood � work done in February, so I will let you all know if it was the � testosterone that caused my hair loss. But WOW! I am glad this is finally � over with (hopefully) � � Kathy How do you think you might have lowered your T? Are you still taking spiro? tazmepeg is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO