10 replies to this topic

[starness]

So i finally got my results and the doctor told me that my hormone levels were fine. I was expecting him to say that my testosterone levels were too high or something but he said I was fine. How can my levels be normal if i constantly breakout in my jawline!!! CYSTIC ACNE! Idk what to do i thought today i was finally going to find out what was wrong with me!!

[Cherryx]

Maybe you should be happy there is nothing wrong with you on the inside. But I can totally understand what you mean.

[borie88]

Sorry you didn't get an answer. Did you get an allergy test yet? Allergies cause cystic acne for a lot of people. Do you eat a lot of the common allergens like soy, dairy, wheat, fish? Ever get tightness in the throat or anything out of the norm when you eat a certain food?

[starness]

Yesi I was a little frusterdated but now im okay. The doctor said it just bacteria on my skin? Benzoyl peroxide has worked so good for the past couple of weeks. And as for food allergy tests thats my next step.

[tim12]

I don't know all of the terminology since I just started looking into this, but depending on your health care and whatnot, there's lots of tests you can get done to check for systemic inflammation, like on accutane they monitor your liver enzymes. I'm glad BP has been working for you btw!

And as for what your doctor said, that is part of the picture. There's also dead skin cell buildup, the bacteria feeding on oil, a bunch (seriously, a lot) of different inflammatory processes and stuff going on, you get the picture - acne is complicated! Most people can treat their acne with only a few changes, like a topical regimen, maybe cutting out some problem foods etc.

[FSAS]

aw I know exactly how you feel. I've had so many tests for everything, although very general tests and everything has come back clear and I'm sitting in the doctors office so frustrated and upset because i WANT something to be wrong so I can fix it because I clearly have something wrong or I wouldnt have acne -_- I got my hormones tested except it was pointless because im on the pill and my doctor didnt even realise - oh course they are gonna come back negative.
I have acne mostly around my mouth/chin and a few along jaw/cheeks and the past few months have bumps all over my forehead. so lost
are you on BC?

[amy91]

Well..I'm as confused as you Starrness. I've got my food allergie test results couple of days ago, and it says that I have no food allergie whatsoever. The specialist said that I should check my hormones too, 'cuz obviously my problem is hormonal. I guess my next step wtill be the checking my hormones level. Meanwhile I'll keep taking Spiro, watch my diet and try to reduce stress in my everyday life.

[borie88]

I would also suggest you all to try fermented drinks and such. Not necessarily milk kefir, because it is dairy, but drinks like water kefir and kombucha (best if you make it yourself) and fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut. If you cant do that, try finding a good probiotic with enteric coating so it can get into the intestines and past stomach acid. A good probiotic also has a high count of bacteria per pill (over 5 billion) and lots of different strains (at least 8 different types of bacteria.) The bacteria in our digestive system can influence our skin and mind in ways we are just beginning to find out.

Just starting on probiotics might make you feel sick or even have a fever but stay on them! That means that there is probably something wrong with your gut bacteria!

I've been getting lots of tests too lately, so I know how you feel when everything comes back normal and there is no direct answer... It sucks, but trying everything you can is all you can do.

[eastie]

just the fact that the hormones are within the norm range does not mean your acne is not hormonal.sometimes just the skin reacts to the normal levels of hormones in a wrong way.BCP will help you for sure if you say its typical jaw line acne.

[eastie]

"In the majority of women with acne, serum androgens are completely normal,
yet these women will in fact respond if treated with hormonal therapy. Studies have
shown that, as a group, women with acne may have higher levels of serum DHEAS,
testosterone, and DHT than those without acne (7,34). However, although higher,
these laboratory values may still be within the normal range. Serum levels of
DHEAS, DHT, and IGF-1 are reported to correlate positively with acne lesion
counts in women, whereas androstenedione and DHEAS correlate with lesion
counts in men (35). Reduction of serum androgens or inhibition of their action, as
obtained with oral contraceptives or antiandrogens, respectively, can lead to
improvement in acne in women with normal serum androgen levels." page 87 of this book:http://famona.sezamp...its therapy.pdf

[LizzLemon]

I feel your pain, Starness. My hormone levels were fine but I still have cystic breakouts along my jaw and cheeks which are synchonized with my PMS. I expected to have results that indicated a thyroid problem (kinda hoping it would provide *some* solution!!) and now i'm back at square one.

If you are clearing up with BP, that is excellent! Perhaps you were just going through some hormonal changes - I see you are in your late teens. The lucky part is that if you keep the acne in check, you will be able to focus on clearing up any dark marks or scarring. I really like the DKR AHA treatment! I've been using that for about 3 months and it works well on red marks & light scarring. It takes a couple of weeks to notice a difference but just apply lightly 2-3 times a week at night and stick to it! Good luck, gal!

Edited by LizzLemon, 26 January 2012 - 01:24 PM.