Cross-table-C-spine-Chem-20-Coag-Panel

[judecorp]

I finally connected with the nurse case manager at my doctor's office to get the results of the lab work I had at my physical exam over two months ago. Don't ask me how it took so long, because I'm just glad I finally got my freaking health info. I had a bunch of blood work for routine physical stuff (CBC, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc.) and also some hormone tests for the whole no-periods thing. I had suggested PCOS to my last doctor but she didn't really take me seriously, and eventually agreed to refer me for a pelvic ultrasound which showed no cysts. I mentioned that to my new doc who told me that one can have PCOS without cysts. But anyway...

So most of my bloodwork was totally fine which was nice, but I apparently have elevated testosterone. This is linked to PCOS so I suppose it's possible that I have it, but the whole thing got me thinking. How long have I had elevated testosterone? (I've never been tested for this before, only estrogen, progesterone, TSH.) Is it possible that I've had elevated testosterone my whole life?

It's interesting because of all of the gender dysphoria stuff I have going on. Am I genderqueer because I have elevated testosterone? Do I buck the system because I have more boy hormones? Can our identities really boil down to chemicals and molecules? I realize that testosterone can explain acne, and body hair, and all of that... but does it control who I think I am and what I feel like? If my T-level went down to "normal" range, would I be girly? Would I still think the same way, act the same way, dress the same way, look the same way?

She wants me to take birth control pills again. Would fake estrogen and progesterone "turn me back"? Aaah, questions. As always, I'm full of questions. I wish I could just give all my extra testosterone to mostlyhere.

~//~

Also, my cholesterol was higher than it was two years ago, and that makes me sad. I need to get back into some sort of shape, and also stop eating all of the crap that is always at work. I need to talk to Jen tonight and see if a gym membership cost is within our budget. Maybe I'll get a brand new body all around and I'll somehow be able to make babies.

Comments

[jadefu.livejournal.com]

Well, I have elevated testosterone because I *DO* have PCOS with cysts and almost every other textbook symptom.

Have you also checked out www.pcosupport.org for more info?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you'd pointed me to that info a long time ago and I read it. I'm still waiting to hear from my doctor about whether she wants to see me again or what she wants me to do... but since it took 2 months to even get my test results I'm not holding my breath.

Argh.