For those who do not take bcp

[ske101]

If you are not on bcp, how do you lower your testosterone levels? I am thin pcos, so diet really won't make a difference with me - but 2 doctors insist that I have to be on bcps even though I am on spiro 200mg and glucophage and am convinced I am losing my hair from the bcp. Any success stories of low T without bcp would be greatly appreciated!

[Gen224]

If you want to quit the bcp, do it. You can wait until you cycle and not take any more (even if you just try it for one month and document the changes you see in your body), or you can quit it now and cycle immediately. Either way, it's up to YOU.

As far as your t-levels, when you bring down your insulin levels (even as a thin cyster, you have elevated insulin levels), your T should also come down. You're not on a therapeutic dose of met; you could approach your doctor and ask for a therapeutic dose, or you could add cinnamon to your regimen if your doctor won't increase your met. Or you could find another doc who will rx a therapeutic dose of met. One way or another (met or cinnamon), you can lower your insulin levels effectively and your T will drop.

The only way I can think of that you T wouldn't drop with a lowering of your insulin levels is if you have another condition and maybe your DHEA levels are out of control. But that's something that would be a r/o (rule out) if the decrease of insulin doesn't make a difference.

I would stay on the spiro while you do this--I don't know how long you've been on it, but it does take up to 6 months to see a good difference in hair loss on this medication. If you've been on it that long, continue on it while you tweak your other meds and see what makes a difference for you.

HTH! :)

[sweetsunshine72]

Ditto!

Oh, and you should also know that sometimes Met can cause hair loss due to a B12 deficiency. I know - catch 22!!!

Theraputic doage for Met is 1000 mg/day to 2500 mg/day, and Cinnamon it is 1000 mg/day to 4500 mg/day. Just be careful if you combine the two because the Cinnamon can pull your blood sugar down pretty quick when combining w/Met, or if you tend to get low blood sugar. Just start at a lower dose and gradually increase.

Good Luck! 8)

[ske101]

Thanks all. I upped my glucophage to 1000 mg last night. I was very afraid to because I had bad side effects with the met - but the glucophage xr doesn't seem to causing the same problem...

[lol2806]

I just stopped altogether! And my gyanae wants me to start taking Yasmin but I've said I'll think about it and go back to see him in October.

[turtle*in*sun]

Yup get rid of the bcp. If you don't need them for birth control get rid of them.

I'm one that refuses to take them. And the Sprio and the met have done wonders for me all on their own.

[lol2806]

I'm not using it for a form of contraception but I'm a bit scared cos I haven't had a period since I stopped taking it!

You Can' Fight Fate!

[Leslie8007]

you can get your doctor to prescribe a progesterone to take to kick your reiod in I am nad have never been on bcp........ hello lol pcos takes care of that unfortunatlly. I take med when period is late usually takes me about 2 or 3 days to get my period. Only had to use it once so far every thing has been regular since

[lol2806]

Thanks. I've now had an adverse effect. I've had two periods in three weeks!