One way to find out if you have PCOS is to get a blood test. The test will look for Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and Insulin resistance. Symptoms of PCOS may also be present, especially if you have a family history. You’ll also want to check for Glucose levels, Insulin resistance, and Testosterone levels.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)
As a female, your body produces AMH during the time of childbearing. At birth, you have one million eggs and the number decreases to around 500,000 during your childhood. The remaining eggs undergo follicle maturation one by one throughout your menstrual cycle. This hormone balances the monthly cyclical actions of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Therefore, the higher your AMH levels, the more likely you are to have PCOS.
Glucose levels
One of the most important tests to diagnose PCOS is a fasting plasma glucose test. Most women with PCOS will need to have this test performed at some point in their lives. If the glucose levels are high, this may indicate that the woman has insulin resistance, which is one of the contributing factors to PCOS. The test is usually done at a clinic or hospital laboratory. It can take several hours to complete, so plan to spend the morning at the lab.
Insulin resistance
A test to check for insulin resistance can help diagnose a person with diabetes and the condition of insulin resistance is a sign of Type 2 diabetes. The body produces and uses insulin to keep blood glucose levels in a normal range, but insulin resistant people cannot use it efficiently. Ultimately, they will no longer have a pancreas that can produce sufficient insulin, leading to the diagnosis of diabetes. Other contributing factors to insulin resistance include genetics, smoking, excessive weight, and an unhealthy diet.
Testosterone levels
A blood test to determine testosterone levels can help diagnose PCOS. It is important to note that the results of this test should be viewed alongside the other results from other tests. Usually, a woman’s PCOS blood test is normal, although some women with this condition have elevated Testosterone levels. However, it is important to keep in mind that women with PCOS usually have an increased amount of this hormone.
Sex hormones
If you’re wondering how to check for PCOS, you’re not alone. It can be difficult to identify the symptoms of PCOS without a blood test, but your doctor can help you find out if you have the condition by looking at your androgen levels. Elevated levels of this hormone can stop ovulation and lead to irregular periods. A blood test can also detect the presence of high levels of another hormone called 17-OHP, which is involved in the production of the stress hormone cortisol. The test can also detect late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which can mimic symptoms of PCOS. Both testosterone and 17-OHP are androgen hormones. These hormones are responsible for many of the secondary male sex characteristics and are associated with PCOS.
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