PCOS: How to Check in Blood Test?

If you suspect you may have PCOS, your healthcare provider may order a series of blood tests to determine if you have the disorder. This is normal, as the more blood tests that are performed, the more likely it is that you have PCOS and that the other conditions are not to blame. By ordering additional blood tests, your healthcare provider will be able to properly diagnose PCOS, rule out other disorders, and prescribe the best treatment for your condition.

Symptoms

If you suspect you have PCOS, your doctor will do a blood test to check for certain signs and symptoms. Your blood pressure will be checked, and your GP will ask you about your weight, acne, and excessive hair growth. If you have an abnormal blood test, your doctor will look for signs of hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough of a hormone called Thyroid. Other tests your doctor might order include high blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Your healthcare provider may also perform a pelvic ultrasound to look for ovarian cysts.

The results of a blood test for PCOS may vary depending on the cause of your condition. In most cases, the increase in ovarian size and volume are indicative of PCOS. This condition is characterized by 12 follicles ranging in size from two to nine mm. It may also be caused by a condition known as late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic disorder that mimics the symptoms of PCOS.

Causes

There are various causes of PCOS in the blood, which your healthcare provider can identify through a blood test. Some of the symptoms associated with the condition are oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, infertility, and obesity. About 20% of women with PCOS report having a normal menstrual cycle. However, these menstrual irregularities can be long-standing or they may develop later in life. Primary amenorrhea is also possible, but not common.

The elevated insulin levels associated with PCOS are another symptom. Insulin is a hormone produced by specialized cells in the pancreas, and it helps the body use glucose for energy. When glucose levels do not respond to normal insulin, the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate for the increased demand. This insulin resistance causes the ovaries to produce too much testosterone. Too much testosterone inhibits the follicles’ development, preventing ovulation.

Diagnosis

A PCOS blood test can help to confirm a diagnosis, if a woman has symptoms of the condition. Women may have two or more polycystic ovaries, infrequent or early periods, hair growth, or a combination of symptoms. A doctor may also conduct a pelvic ultrasound to check for any abnormalities, such as increased hair growth. If symptoms are present, a physician may also order a blood test to measure androgen levels and to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

Blood tests for thyroid function are another common way to diagnose PCOS. Test results should show a low level of thyroid hormone, but a low level of FSH or LHR does not mean you have the disorder. Thyroid tests also measure hormones called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). They can also check for prolactin, a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. Prolactin, in turn, promotes lactation in women and can be elevated. If elevated prolactin levels are detected, the condition may cause irregular or absent menstruation.

Treatment

How to check PCOS in blood test? This condition is characterized by high levels of a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that is released in response to stress, low blood sugar, or other factors. Cortisol levels can be raised for a variety of reasons, including pregnancy and stress. Because the symptoms of PCOS are often overlapped with high cortisol levels, this blood test can help doctors make a diagnosis.

If you suspect you have PCOS, talk to your GP. Your GP may order blood tests to check your hormone levels. If you are having irregular menstrual cycles, or if you have excessive hair growth or acne, your GP may order a PCOS blood test to check for signs of PCOS. Other blood tests may be ordered, such as a cholesterol test or a lipid profile. Your GP may recommend screenings for diabetes and high cholesterol, which may be symptoms of PCOS.