Hello everyone! I am new to this site, but have posted on the charting and IUI boards.

My dx is hypothalamic amenorrhea and pcos. I am on Provera, Femara, HCG trigger and sometimes Progesterone. I did my first IUI 9/29.

My questions are what test(s) do they do to determine insuling resistance in someone with pcos? Is it common for women w/ pcos to be on Metformin? My dr. has never even mentioned insulin resistance, or metformin to me. I've been seeing him for over 2 yrs with no success. I don't think everyone should be on Metformin across the board, but I do find it odd that he's never discussed the possibility with me.

My Mom had called asking about this because she heard (from her hairdresser of all people!) about this treatment. She wanted to know if there was a reason they didn't try this with me. I have done a little research on the drug, but don't know the criteria for prescribing it.

I would appreciate any input...This infertility road is getting tough for us financially and I want to be sure that I'm doing all that I can for success before the money runs out. I'm sure you all know what I mean.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to hearing from whoever can help me!

Ang!

me 33
dh 31
dsd 8 (9 in Nov)
ttc #1 together for 3 yrs. 2 yrs w/ meds

Hi!! I don't have an answer to what tests are done to check for insulin resistance but most women who have PCOS do take Metformin. From what I've read and heard about it, it helps women with PCOS ovulate since most of the time we don't do it on or own. I didn't take it because my doc likes to try Clomid first and then add Metformin if you don't ovulate with that alone but Clomid worked for me. I think a lot of women here are taking Metformin so they should be able to give you some helpful information.

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Like Jessica, I'm not sure what tests you can take to find out if you are IR. But I'm sure it would be some type of sugar fasting test. There have been researches done to determine if metformin actually helps women with PCOS since not all women with PCOS are IR. I was given metformin after taking kidney and liver function blood tests and it did nothing for me. It was only when I took it with Clomid that it helped me ovulate.

If you feel that you should give metformin a try you really should bring it up to your doctor as that may be the only way you can get them to give you a script for it.

Good Luck

I did a fasting blood sugar test, and a 24 hour urine collection.

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Trying to Concieve Since March 2005





IN THE ONE YEAR WAIT....UNTIL HE COMES HOME.... (This is how to BD by yourself LOL)

MISSING MY HUBBY SINCE 10/05/06
PROUD ARMY WIFE

Hello and welcome to Baby Dust I've been around the boards a couple years but I'm fairly quiet. I was just diagnosed with PCOS a week ago and now take 500 mg of Metformin twice daily. Next month I start Clomid. The way my obgyn diagnosed me was that he first noted I had many symptoms of the condition: excessive hair growth, difficulty losing wieght, missing or excessively long periods, not ovulationg, infertility, acne, skin tags etc. I then had an internal ultrasound of my ovaries which showed gads of cysts. My doctor felt that was sufficient evidence but some docs do require blood tests. Specifically test for elevated levels of androgens, elevated fasting insulin and/or glucose levels, elevated levels of LH, and an elevation in the ratio of LH to FSH.

Most women who are trying to concieve are on Metformin (Glucophage) but there are other medications such as rosiglitazone (Avandia), pioglitazone (Actos) and birth control pills such as Diane-35. Also look into D-chiro-inositol. Note however that each drug has it's side effects (Metformin for example may give you gas, diarhea and nausea) and if you have any sort of liver or kidney disease you should let your obgyn know. Whatever they prescribe if you are at all overwieght you'll be told to adopt a low-carb diet and exercise regime. For more information read 4women.gov . I hope that helps. Good luck and blessings, Prana

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Diagnosed with: PCOS, Celiacs, Liver Disease, Hypothyroidism
Taking: Levoxyl, Glucophage and Clomid (starting in mid November)
Active on: TTC #1 , TTC 20 Something and TTC PCOS
Visit my site at www.blessedblogger.com

Thank you so much! I have an ultrasound scheduled for Thursday 10/27, and IUI after that if I have good follies. I will talk to him about the metformin if this month is unsuccessful. Like I said, I just want to make sure I'm doing all I can. I'm trying to be patient, but it gets to me sometimes. I'm sure you all know what I mean. I never in a million years thought I would be nearly 34 w/ no children...but I guess we don't get to pick do we?

Ang~