Case Study – reducing and resolving the challenges and symptoms of PCOS

Sophie age 38 came to see me two years after being diagnosed with PCOS. She was experiencing common symptoms such as difficulty losing weight, heavy periods, tiredness and excess facial and body hair.

Sophie felt that she had only one week during each month when she functioned well and as a working Mother of two young children she was willing to try any dietary and lifestyle changes she could to improve her situation.

From the discovery call there were clues as to why she had developed what I suspected was adrenal PCOS which is driven by stress around the time of puberty linked to high levels of a hormone known as DHEAS. Sophie’s childhood had been extremely stressful and she had experienced significant bouts of fatigue and depression throughout the teens 20s and 30s.

As the treatment protocol for Adrenal PCOS differs from other common types of PCOS (Insulin Resistance PCOS, Post Pill PCOS and Inflammatory PCOS ) due to different underlying mechanisms, I recommended that Sophie take the Dutch Hormone Test. The test provides insight into:

• Metabolism of adrenal (stress) hormones DHEA and DHEAS as well as Cortisol production and patterns.
• Metabolism and levels of key female sex hormones including oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone which are key in PCOS
• Deficiencies in key vitamins and organic acids such as B6, B12 and Glutathione which are linked with PCOS symptoms and low energy.

Dutch Hormone Test results

The Dutch results were really instrumental in confirming Sophie’s PCOS was Adrenal PCOS including:

• High levels of DHEAS which are also linked with troublesome heavy and irregular periods.
• High levels of DHEA which is linked to weight gain and fatigue.
• High cortisol production & irregular cortisol diurnal rhythm.
• Low levels of our master anti-oxidant Glutathione

The plan of action

Combining the results of the Dutch hormone test with Sophie’s completed questionnaire and food diary I was able to develop a diet lifestyle and supplement plan to discuss and agree with Sophie.

By the end of her initial consultation after explaining her results and making connections between her ongoing PCOS symptoms and the imbalances in her hormone levels, we had agreed a plan which included:

• Dietary changes to re-balance hormone levels including the reduction in her use of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC’s) which worsen adrenal PCOS.
• Lifestyle changes including yoga, walking and breathing exercises.
• 3 new supplements to help with weight, excess hair growth and energy.

The Results

Week 2 check-in progress

At a two week check in via e-mail, Sophie was pleased to report that one of the new supplements was helping keep her full and had reduced her cravings but it was too early for her to have noticed any other changes.

1 month follow up progress

At her first follow-up consultation Sophie reported a less heavy period, more energy and that her clothes felt better / looser. Sophie had struggled to incorporate any consistent exercise and I reminded her that this was not a race and that she needed to pace herself and be kind to herself at every stage of her health plan.

2nd follow up progress

At her second follow up consultation, Sophie had experienced a second consecutive less heavy period as well as less mood fluctuations throughout the month. She had managed to incorporate more exercise, and felt like she was getting her life back so much so that she wanted to get pregnant again. As well as reviewing her diet and lifestyle again I helped Sophie with her fertility wish by sending her an e-book on fertility and ovulation as well as an app for ovulation tracking.

2 months later

Sophie contacted me to say she was pregnant (!!!) and she wanted to check whether the supplements we had agreed in her initial plan were still was safe to take. After reviewing these I asked her to stop two of them (Inositol and Fish oil) and recommended a Multi Vitamin and Mineral supplement for pregnancy.

We kept in touch by e-mail thereafter and Sophie summarised her experience of working with me in the following testimonial:

“I had contacted Angela in the midst of trying to find a solution for my PCOS symptoms and after having done a lot of research myself, I was overburdened with information.

I found myself throwing everything at the problem but not seeing any results.

Angela focused on the root issues and was able to fine tune my diet and lifestyle in order for me to see changes.

It’s been three months now and I can honestly say I am so much happier and energetic than I have been in a long time!

Thank you, Angela!”

If you would like some help or want to find out about how my nutritional therapy can help you, then call, email or book a free consultation, below.

Nutrition 4 change is based in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, England

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