Local (DMV) gynaecologist or endocrinologist who takes PCOS seriously

[Anonymous]

I have PCOS and recently (within the last 5 years) got my weight under control by changing my diet to mostly plant based and lowering carbs a lot. I also exercise daily. But my fatigue is so unbearable. I am basically physically dragging myself through the day. There are so many things that I want to accomplish in my life and I can’t do any of it while I am like this. My family has dismissed it as laziness but I know it’s not that. I know on rare occasions, like a brief period during the second trimester of my first pregnancy, I felt “normal.”

My gynaecologist dismissed my concerns about fatigue outright and told me I was doing great because of my weight loss and that she would not prescribe anything else. I was unhappy with her and the practice in general so I would like to find someone new who will perhaps take this a little more seriously or maybe an endocrinologist who can help. Thanks in advance!!

[Anonymous]

How’s your thyroid?

[Anonymous]

Following. I also have PCOS and had 6 physicians from PC to OB to RE to Endocrinologist all decline to treat it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How’s your thyroid?

My bloodwork done by the pcp and the gyno are all well within normal, including thyroid. But I think a specialist may be able to analyze the issue more deeply. Or as least make me feel less crazy. My friend is a cardiologist and I told her I have PCOS and she was like “you have a lot of fatigue/tiredness, yes?” And I felt so seen from such a minor comment because no other doctor has even acknowledged this.

[Anonymous]

Get your current docs to run as many bloods as possible, collect cgm data for a month and buy a plane ticket to Toronto to visit the White Lotus Clinic. Paying out of pocket is reasonable.

Fiona is the only practitioner I’ve met who can read the labs and connect them to your symptoms. She literally wrote the book on PCOS. Meanwhile an MD at the fanciest functional medicine women’s practice in McLean told me “pcos is a mystery.” That insight cost more than going to Canada.

[Anonymous]

Good luck getting an appointment with an endocrinologist. One practice I heard that the earliest appointment is September.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get your current docs to run as many bloods as possible, collect cgm data for a month and buy a plane ticket to Toronto to visit the White Lotus Clinic. Paying out of pocket is reasonable.

Fiona is the only practitioner I’ve met who can read the labs and connect them to your symptoms. She literally wrote the book on PCOS. Meanwhile an MD at the fanciest functional medicine women’s practice in McLean told me “pcos is a mystery.” That insight cost more than going to Canada.

Thank you! Buying her book now. My GP is super supportive and hopefully can help me a bit if I have some ideas of what I need too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck getting an appointment with an endocrinologist. One practice I heard that the earliest appointment is September.

I’ve struggled with this since I was a teenager, you think I can’t wait until September? Ha!

[Anonymous]

Do you take B12 and iron supplements? Taking those gave my vegetarian DD her energy back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you take B12 and iron supplements? Taking those gave my vegetarian DD her energy back.

Yes, I can’t vitamin my way out of this one. Believe me I have tried. My vitamin d levels are always good, as are my iron.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you take B12 and iron supplements? Taking those gave my vegetarian DD her energy back.

Yes, I can’t vitamin my way out of this one. Believe me I have tried. My vitamin d levels are always good, as are my iron.

And B12?

The thing about blood work is that the normal range might not be normal for you. I’ve had several doctors say that to me. My takeaway is that if I’m on the low end of normal, then I need to boost.

Sublingual B12 daily was a game changer for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you take B12 and iron supplements? Taking those gave my vegetarian DD her energy back.

Yes, I can’t vitamin my way out of this one. Believe me I have tried. My vitamin d levels are always good, as are my iron.

And B12?

The thing about blood work is that the normal range might not be normal for you. I’ve had several doctors say that to me. My takeaway is that if I’m on the low end of normal, then I need to boost.

Sublingual B12 daily was a game changer for me.

I honestly don’t remember my B12 levels but I have taken the supplements, they do nothing for me. Vitamin D helps me a bit, mostly with my weight. I feel like I have unlocked the key to managing my weight (diet, exercise, vitamins, good sleep), but my energy levels are still awful and it’s so demoralizing. Fatigue is so awful and so hard to describe.

[Anonymous]

I have PCOS and thyroid disease.

GOOD LUCK. Haven't found one yet. Endo's literally know jack CHIT around here, they are astoundingly bad like they don't know BASIC stuff. It's incredible.

[Anonymous]

I never knew there was a correlation between fatigue and PCOS. I have PCOS. I did a sleep study about 10 years ago and was told I have chronic insomnia. My CPAP helps; not perfect but definitely helps. It used to be awful!

Congrats on the weight loss!! That has always alluded me except on zero carb-like diets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you take B12 and iron supplements? Taking those gave my vegetarian DD her energy back.

Yes, I can’t vitamin my way out of this one. Believe me I have tried. My vitamin d levels are always good, as are my iron.

And B12?

The thing about blood work is that the normal range might not be normal for you. I’ve had several doctors say that to me. My takeaway is that if I’m on the low end of normal, then I need to boost.

Sublingual B12 daily was a game changer for me.

Me too. I take one of these in the morning with breakfast. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VR6Y18?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1