How to check for PCOS in a blood test? If your doctor suspects that you have the condition, your doctor will perform several tests to rule out other conditions. Your doctor may order blood sugar and androgen levels, and a sonogram to evaluate your ovaries. The purpose of these tests is to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a normal stage of puberty.
High cholesterol
For more information about PCOS, and how to check your cholesterol levels, you can go to your doctor’s office. A cholesterol test is a lipid panel, which measures key values associated with high cholesterol levels. Your doctor will look for high levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Elevated cholesterol levels increase your risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Approximately 70 percent of women with PCOS have elevated cholesterol.
High blood sugar
A fasting blood test is a common way to test for diabetes and PCOS. A blood sugar test measures the level of glucose in the blood after you have been fasting for eight hours. Glucose levels in this blood test can also be indicative of insulin resistance, which is another risk factor for PCOS. Your doctor will order a fasting blood test if your blood sugar is high.
A blood test can help your doctor rule out other medical conditions that mimic PCOS. Tests may include LH/FSH ratios and testosterone levels. Your GP may also suggest other blood tests to screen for diabetes and high cholesterol. Occasionally, a pelvic ultrasound will reveal ovarian cysts. If you take birth control pills, your doctor may also perform a blood test to detect them.
Low prolactin
A blood test for prolactin levels can help doctors diagnose a condition such as prolactinoma. Prolactin levels above 500 ng/ml are considered to be moderately high. When these levels rise, the ovaries no longer produce sufficient estrogen and gonadotropin to carry out ovulation. The body may also fail to produce enough estrogen, resulting in irregular periods, reduced sex drive, vaginal dryness, and infertility.
Blood test for prolactin levels is usually easy to perform. Blood samples are drawn from a vein in your arm. A lab worker will insert a needle into a vein and draw a sample of blood. Some people experience a mild sting. Others experience a moderate amount of pain or bruising during the blood draw. The test results are usually provided in the form of a number and are usually within normal levels. Prolactin levels can rise during stressful times or when you are eating.
Low thyroid-stimulating hormone
In order to rule out the possibility of PCOS, your doctor will run a blood test for thyroid-stimulating hormone. This hormone is produced by the thyroid gland in the neck. The thyroid produces two hormones, T3 and T4, which regulate the metabolism of the body. Often, women with PCOS have normal TSH levels. But, if you are having irregular periods or lack menstruation, your doctor may check for elevated levels of prolactin.
Thyroid disease can have detrimental effects on the ovaries. When the hormone level increases in hypothyroid patients, the ovaries may produce higher levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and dehydroepiandrosterone. These fluctuating levels can inhibit ovulation, increase ovarian volume, and cause cysts. However, the presence of a low thyroid-stimulating hormone in women does not cause polycystic ovary syndrome.
Read More: Understanding diabetes on Aging Adults