Bridget - I sent the message to the email address i had for you from before - is that no longer good? I was writing to you about www.nanowrimo.org - I think this is how you should spend you November - check it out.
Farmgirl - my D's friend had a skin discoloration called acanthosis nigricans - dark discoloration in the skin fold behind her neck, in her cleavage, and probably under her armpits. It is a symptom of insulin resistance, most commonly due to polycystic ovary syndrome, but can also be seen in Cushing's disease or some other disorders. In both Cushing's and PCOS the weight gain tends to be central (apple shape). Women with PCOS often have excess body hair, irregular periods, infertility, and acne.
If you want to discuss your daughter's issues in more detail, send me an email at elliestough@hotmail.com and send me any lab results you have from that endocrinologist's visit. A lot of doctors (yes, even endocrinologists) can miss these syndromes.
