Gee, that doesn't sound great about Vitex for you. My concern after reading your story is I really won't know what it's doing to my body (in terms of making AF out of whack) because there hasn't been AF for me anyway.
I've had my thyroid tested as my mum has hypothyroidism. I've had it checked (for hypo and hyper) every couple of years in fact, as my doctor said it can just happen one day. All seems fine there. As far as I'm aware, my GP did full hormonal blood screening. High androgen levels, LH:FSH ratio abnormal (although she didn't tell me the ratio). She did comment that my oestrogen levels were quite high which she said was unusual for PCOS. I don't know much about oestrogen levels and PCOS to tell you the truth. I haven't had IR tested- maybe I should ask.
I also had an internal ultrasound which showed right polycystic ovary and dermoid in my left. I'm really confused at the moment about that, but I've started another thread so I won't go on about it in here.
I found out yesterday that my baby sister (20 years) has just found out she is pregnant. She was taking antibiotics while on the pill and fell pregnant just like that. While I'm happy for her, I don't think I've cried so much for years. It's so hard and it's only just begun...
I understand how you are feeling when someone close falls pregnant easily when you can't. I have SO been there. :hugs:
Glad to hear you have had thyroid checks - with a family history of it - I am not surprised because it can have an association with PCOS. Not everyone knows about this either. Me - mine is normal but it can go hyper if I take iodine supplements - a story for another day!
A high oestrogen level with PCOS is not that unusual. I am like you - mine is high too. Plenty of oestrogen, but don't have the progesterone to balance it when I am not O'ing. True - it is not unusual to see a low oestrogen level with PCOS either. I vaguely remember my FS telling me that having plenty of oestrogen was a good thing with PCOS - but don't quote me. I don't have high androgen levels either. I could go on more about the hormonal thing and how they get converted if you want me too - I had this thing for 13 years so I have read a bit about it, gets a bit boring!!!
A LH:FSH ratio is considered abnormal if it is higher than 2:1. The ratio does depend on where you are in your cycle. It is actually the poorest indicator of PCOS but this is the only thing that has ever explained my absent, non-existent, and really long cycles - apart from when the thyroid went hyper!!
With the herbs, both the naturopathic and chinese, they caused me a little bit of brown spotting and then NOTHING for months!!!!! That book I mentioned by Ruth Trickey is quite useful if you want to take something to your naturopath. I could email you the relevant pages if you want to read it - just PM me with your email address. Ruth Trickey writes a lot of stuff about women's hormones from both the scientific and naturopathic view and has support in the medical profession too.
Just to update that I went and saw my GP yesterday to make sure that eveything that can be done is done before I see the spec next month. I had to see a new GP as my old one only works one Saturday a fortnight now. I was worried about seeing someone new but she was lovely, sympathetic and knowledgable.
I'm now taking Metformin, which I am really happy about. Although I have no weight probs, my GP said there is research to suggest that met and clomid in combination work better than just clomid, even for non IR people. I have to wait until I see the spec for clomid obviously, but am thrilled that I'm officially doing something about my infertility! It feels so good!
I'm also having another ultrasound on my dermoid to check its size. Fingers crossed it's still smallish and won't interfere with my progress.
Thanks for listening (or reading as the case may be!)
It's so hard and it's only just begun...
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It feels so good!
and won't interfere with my progress. 
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