How to determine a cause

I am a 38 year old female,R.N.,mother of 5 ranging from 6-16 years. All planned,normal pregnancies,no infertility problems. Approx. 1 year ago noted hair loss on scalp,weight gain and increasing tiredness. Was seen at local military hospital, T4,TSH within normal limits,slightly amenic. Inability to lose wt. continues and increase in menstral cycle noted. Return to clinic 6 months later reveals same results as earlier.  In Feb. birth control pills begin in attempt to regulate periods.  Stopped after 13 days due to hot flashes,night sweats,hrt palpations.  10 days later menstral flow begins lasts 22 days,of unusual note had brest milk for first 7 days of this cycle.
I have found I can tolerate all the above but not the newest symptom to appear-dark facial hair on upper lip,along sides of face and across cheeks!!! This military hospital has limited resources,please tell me who I should be seeking care from. Of note, my family is very fair skinned,light hair and eyes,I do not tan,this hair growth has not been seen in other female family members.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Kim:

You can consult and endocrinologist if you like, but the chances of finding a clinically-relevant hormone imbalance in someone like yourself with reasonably normal menstrual periods is slim.

Can hair like the kind you describe just appear out of the blue in someone without a hormone imbalance or a family history?  You bet.

Evaluate the hormones of you wish, just to exclude possible causes, however remote.  But whether you find a cause or not, look into laser hair removal or electrolysis.  Even correcting an imbalace doesn't make hair that's there go away.

Good luck.

Dr. R