Can you be misdiagnosed with PCOS?
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Can you be misdiagnosed with PCOS?
Even though PCOS is fairly common, it is often misdiagnosed. Women may experience PCOS symptoms for years before discovering what’s causing their problems.
What is the best doctor to see for PCOS?
Endocrinologist. An endocrinologist is a doctor who is specialized in treating disorders of the hormonal system. If your family healthcare provider or gynecologist suspects that you have the disorder, you and your doctor may consider consulting with an endocrinologist for further diagnostic testing and treatment.
Why is PCOS not taken seriously?
If not well-managed, PCOS can cause weight gain, infertility, dermatological symptoms like hair loss, excessive body hair growth and acne. Mood disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety and depression are also common. Over time, PCOS can lead to diabetes and other chronic diseases.
What does an endocrinologist do for PCOS?
To diagnose PCOS, an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders, conducts a physical exam. He or she checks you for increased body and facial hair, thinning scalp hair, acne, and other symptoms of increased androgen levels.
What is commonly misdiagnosed as PCOS?
There are also several other factors and conditions that can mimic PCOS symptoms, such as stress, hormonal contraceptives such as the pill, obesity, thyroid issues (which can affect metabolism), over-exercising and disordered eating. Mislabelling women with PCOS prevents them from receiving care for their actual issue.
Can a dermatologist help with PCOS?
Dermatology nurses and NPs are key players in the early diagnosis of PCOS because of the disturbing cutaneous manifestations of PCOS including acne, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia. These problems bring young women to dermatology clinics for evaluation and treatment.
Does PCOS shorten life?
Mothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome have increased risk of early death. Summary: Mothers of daughters with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a significantly increased risk of death, particularly if they also have diabetes, when compared to the general population, according to new research.
What labs indicate PCOS?
Baseline screening laboratory studies for women suspected of having PCOS may include the following:
- Thyroid function tests (eg, TSH, free thyroxine)
- Serum prolactin level.
- Total and free testosterone levels.
- Free androgen index.
- Serum hCG level.
- Cosyntropin stimulation test.
- Serum 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHPG) level.
INFLAMMATORY (HIDDEN CAUSE) PCOS This includes (but is not limited to!) things like food sensitivities, environmental toxins, thyroid disease, and autoimmune disorders. Common signs of inflammation include fatigue, headaches, skin conditions, joint pain, and digestive issues such as IBS.