PCOS

PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is a metabolic and endocrine-related condition

Some common PCOS symptoms are:

• Irregular periods or long menstrual cycles
• Acne, oily skin, dark patches
• Hair loss or unwanted hair growth
• Mood issues like irritability, depression or anxiety
• Weight struggles
• Food cravings

Receiving a PCOS diagnosis you would meet 2 out of these 3:

1. Elevated androgens:  testosterone or DHEA
2. Impaired ovulation-anovulatory cycles, irregular periods, long or missing menstrual cycles
3. Polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound

Elevated androgen levels can impair or block ovulation, which results in missing or irregular periods.

The main androgens re:

• Testosterone – which is an ovarian androgen
• DHEA – which is an adrenal androgen

Blood sugar imbalances and insulin resistance are the main reasons for elevated testosterone.  High insulin levels signal to the ovaries to produce more testosterone.

DHEA is our adrenal androgen.  This means it is tied to our stress response.  High DHEA is the result of stress.

Using a Dried Urine test – levels would look like:  It looks very different than the information you receive from a blood test.  Of course you can use a blood test to assess these hormones to see which ones are elevated.  Often when we have blood labs run, we are told they are “normal” even when we don’t feel normal.

If your androgen levels are in the normal range and you are experiencing androgen-related symptoms you could have:

• High androgen metabolites
• Favoring 5-alpha metabolism pathway over the 5-beta pathway (which would show up on a dried urine test)

This often explains why you are getting things like unwanted hair growth, hair loss, skin issues and more – even when you have been told your testosterone and DHEA are normal.

These are the things we would get into together if you have or suspect you have PCOS:

• Which of the diagnostic criteria you meet for PCOS – do you meet 2 out of the 3 or all?
• Do you have high testosterone
• Do you have high DHEA
• Are your periods irregular or missing periods?
• Are you ovulating?
• What are your blood sugar and insulin levels?
• How are your cortisol levels?
• Do you have any gut issues?
• Do you have inflammation and if so, what is the source?
• What is contributing to your stress response?
• How are you putting together meals and snacks?
• What supplements are you currently on?
• What is your sleep like?
• Much, much more!

We will go deep to uncover the root causes behind your PCOS, your symptoms and individualized nutrition, movement and supplement recommendations that are actually realistic.

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Find information on functional lab testing and to order here.

If you would like some individualized support you can schedule a complimentary discover call here.