Women's Health Community

If you have PCOS, the ovarian cysts associated with this metabolic / insulin resistance syndrome should be visible on a transvaginal ultrasound. Here's a link about PCOS -
http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm

Let us know what you find out.

I have had a transvaginal ultrasound, everything looks good there... My doctor is still question PCOS, because apparently it can happen without cysts.. He just ordered a new set of blood work to see some hormone and glucose levels. I asked for the TRH stimulation test, but he doesn't think that is necessary.

My biggest issue, at this point, is my struggle with the weight. My mom suggested asking about b6/b12 shots... any experience with this?

Thank you...

Dear ecougs: Your GYN is correct in that regard. The definition of what constitutes PCOS has changed over the past two decades. In 1990 the National Institutes of Health defined PCOS as:

1. Irregular or absent periods
2. Increased male hormone levels (i.e., acne, facial hair)
3. No other health condition which could be causing the symptoms

In 2003, specialists in PCOS from the Eastern Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine met together. Their consensus statement, issued from Rotterdam, put forward a different definition for PCOS:

A woman could be considered to have PCOS is she had any two of these characteristics:
1. Irregular, or absent periods
2. Increased male hormone levels
3. Multiple small ovarian cysts ("string of pearls") visualized on pelvic ultrasound.

In terms of vitamin B6/B12 injections for weight loss. Multiple literature searches at the National Library of Medicine site did not yield any supportive studies on the benefit of B6 injections for weight loss. As for B 12 injections this was the only relevant study:

J Med Chem. 2011 Dec 22;54(24):8707-11. doi: 10.1021/jm2012547. Epub 2011 Nov 16.
Oral delivery of the appetite suppressing peptide hPYY(3-36) through the vitamin B12 uptake pathway.
Fazen CH, Valentin D, Fairchild TJ, Doyle RP.

Department of Chemistry, Center for Science and Technology, Syracuse University, 111 College Place, Syracuse, New York 13244, United States.

hPYY(3-36) injections have shown positive effects on appetite regulations, sparking increased interest in hPYY(3-36) research. Of great interest is oral delivery of hPYY(3-36) that can achieve clinically relevant weight-loss outcomes in what would be a highly patient compliant route. Successful oral delivery of other peptides utilizing the vitamin B12 pathway has been shown but below clinically relevant levels. Herein, we present clinically relevant in vivo oral delivery of B12-hPYY(3-36) conjugates.

As you can note ecougs, the vitmin B12 was not given directly, only the usual pathway was used for delivery of this investigative peptide.for weight loss. The bowel disorders suggested by your friend are not usually tied to weight gain--some even prompt loss secondary to malabsorption.

Some other reasons for inability to lose weight are discussed in this, research based, link:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/5-surprising-reasons-you-are-gaining-weight

The only other reason I can think (as a fellow runner and weight lifter) is that you have a low percent body fat which gives a heavier weight on the scale. Yet body measurements, including clothing fit, suggest a woman who weighs much less.

In Support,
Jane