Posts by Justin Castillo9

Hi, I'm looking for a recommendation for a doctor who specializes in adrenal gland ultrasounds.
Washington, D.C.

Hi, I'm looking for an endocrinologist in Chicago—specifically one who specializes in sex hormone disorders... Thanks.

Hi there,
Is anyone here taking birth control specifically to manage high androgen levels? My androstenedione and DHEAS are through the roof—plus my total testosterone is slightly elevated too. It’s making my cycles incredibly light and infrequent...

Patrick Jones45 said:She really needs a solid ophthalmologist—either in Washington, D.C. or Cleveland—for a second opinion. My mom’s field of vision has been shrinking... any advice or leads would be appreciated.

Maybe Damir Bosnar at Holy Spirit Washington, D.C.—he's top-tier. My mother actually has an appointment scheduled with him in nine months...

Looking for an ENT recommendation in New York City—specifically someone covered by Medicare. Thanks.

Does anyone have experience using Aldactone tablets—the ones containing Spironolactone?
My endocrinologist prescribed them because my androgen levels are spiked, and I'm dealing with hair loss issues—lost about 90% of my hair over a five-year span...

Jesse Evans85 said:I was just quoting a portion of your post—technically, these values fall within the reference ranges, but you also have to look at the ratio between FSH and LH. If the LH level is significantly higher than the FSH, it can be an indicator of PCOS, which seems to be trending slightly elevated for you. Have you had an ultrasound done? Are you dealing with any other symptoms, like increased hair growth or acne?
If you're also experiencing cycle irregularities, then there's clearly a hormonal imbalance at play.
I'm curious if you've experimented with any natural supplements, herbal teas, or botanical remedies?
I’m not trying to push anything specific, but you have to keep in mind that you can't stay on birth control pills forever; they might not even be the right fit for you, or you could end up facing unwanted side effects.
Regarding my friend, her situation improved in the sense that her hair stopped falling out and she actually started seeing new growth—you could visibly see the little baby hairs coming in. While her hair never became thick, it certainly looked better. During her worst period, you could literally see her scalp, but once she started the pills, that changed.

I really am sorry you're going through this. I know how draining it is because I dealt with hair loss myself (though nothing quite as severe as yours). For me, the fallout from the pills was actually increased hair growth elsewhere, which is just as frustrating.

For example, my last period started on November 4th at night, and by the evening of the 5th, it was already over... so yeah, my hormones are definitely acting up.
I tried some herbal teas, but they didn't really do much.
My skin is clear—no acne or anything... and no excess hair growth either.
It's just this hair situation that I can't seem to fix.
I went to get my referral for hormone testing today, so we'll see what happens... I just have to wait until my next cycle.

Thanks for the advice.👍
I read that those Jeanine pills are mild and effective, but apparently, they aren't available here in the States...

Jesse Evans85 said:Did you ask her if she’s also been managing her other hormone levels? What does her testosterone reading actually look like?
I suppose if we’re talking about effectiveness, any contraceptive with anti-androgenic properties—something like Yaz, Yasmin, or Belara—should theoretically work. A friend of mine dealt with the exact same issue and was prescribed Diane; it cleared things up initially, but once she stopped taking them, everything became even more problematic than before.
So, you have to consider the possibility that the pills might provide relief while you're actively on them, but there is a significant chance that once you stop, everything will revert to how it was, if not worse.
If you do decide to go the pill route, I’d suggest taking a folic acid supplement alongside them, as they tend to deplete your folate reserves.
Have you had a chance to sit down with a gynecologist to get a professional opinion yet?

These are my results from day 4:
estradiol 80.6
LH 6.7
FSH 3.9
prolactin (4-23)
total testosterone 1.4 (0.2-2.6)
free testosterone 15.4 (3.5-30)
SHBG 69 (15-120)
androstenedione 11.2 (1-12)
DHEA-S 9.8 (normal range is 2-10)
T3 1.85 (1.34-2.73)
TSH 4.9 (0.34-5.6)
T4 109 (78.4-157.4)

When I asked my OB-GYN to include progesterone in the tests, she refused—said I didn't need it. But I've been reading up online about the symptoms of progesterone deficiency, and honestly, I have every single one... I just can't find a way to explain it to her.

I was prescribed Belara and Duphaston, but I got terrified because the side effects list mentioned even more hair loss. 🤦 As if I don't have enough to lose already...
I'd take something for the rest of my life if I just knew it would fix this—this is becoming unbearable, and I'm at a total loss for who to turn to.
Whenever I mention my hair loss, everyone acts like it's nothing—until they see me without my half-wig, then suddenly it's a huge deal.
The last time I spoke to an endocrinologist, she basically told me my hair is just "like this" and there's nothing to be done—claiming that in 99% of cases, the actual cause is never found.

If anyone knows of any other tests I should run, or can recommend a good specialist—even a private practice—please let me know. I'm truly desperate and don't know what else to try. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

-In what way did your friend's condition improve? Did the shedding stop, or did she actually get new growth?
Because I'm going to need some kind of heavy-duty therapy given the state of my poor hair...

Not sure if this is even the right place to be asking...

Mostly just looking for some advice—or honestly, anything at all
Since my cycles are completely irregular—and sometimes mid-month I’ll start spotting this blackish discharge, which turns brown after a few days
During those times, my actual period just disappears—this weird bleeding can drag on for up to 20 days, yet when my regular cycle actually shows up, it barely lasts a day or two

But the real nightmare here is my hair—it’s been falling out in clumps for 28 months now. I have visible bald patches everywhere—I even bought a wig, but even that doesn't help, not to mention how much this has wrecked my mental state
It seems obvious to me that what's happening with my head is tied to these strange hormonal shifts
Every lab result I’ve had comes back perfect—bloodwork, kidneys, thyroid—everything is fine, except for a slight hormonal imbalance

So, my question is: are there any birth control pills out there that actually help with hair regrowth?
Please, if anyone has insight, I'd appreciate it—I just can't keep living like this...😢

Hi ladies, I’m looking for a solid endocrinologist in Washington, D.C.—ideally one who specializes in ovarian cysts and hair loss—who accepts Medicare if possible.

My gynecologist referred me because I’ve dealt with missed periods and excessive hair thinning for over two years now...

Thanks.

Maybe someone else has dealt with this—I’d really value your perspective

I can't even put a name to what I'm going through—the doctors are just as clueless as I am

It all kicked off three weeks ago. Every single day, I was hit with this crushing exhaustion. Then, last Saturday around 5:30 AM, I was seized by these violent tremors—shaking fits that lasted nearly two hours—followed by this unbearable restlessness, like I was trying to crawl out of my own skin. After that comes the weakness... total physical collapse. I couldn't talk, couldn't walk, couldn't even hold a glass. It stayed that way for two weeks. My family was terrified—I couldn't even make it to the doctor on my own; they practically had to carry me. That Saturday, when I could finally stand, I went to the local ER. The doctor there looked completely baffled—claimed she'd never seen anything like this happen to someone my age—and I'm only 25. She gave me some Xanax to calm down, but it did absolutely nothing

As things spiraled, I tried a different hospital, but the doctor there wouldn't even examine me properly—just kept asking pointless questions I didn't have the strength to answer. The worst part? When I asked for blood work, she told me they don't do blood tests on weekends and claimed it wouldn't show anything anyway, then just sent me home. Since then, it's been hell for two weeks straight, and I still have no answers. My primary care physician finally ordered some tests, but given how long the wait times are here in the States... I've already been to the ER twice, only to be given sedatives and an IV, only to come home and find everything right back where it started. It’s been over two weeks before I could even get out of bed, and now these tremors hit every night around 2:30 AM for about an hour—and they happen at the exact same time during the day too
When I try to explain this to medical staff, they just stare at me blankly—and I'm at a complete loss
To top it off, my blood work is perfect—couldn't be better—and my thyroid levels are totally normal
Sorry for the long vent—but if anyone has experienced something similar or has any thoughts
Thanks