{"id":191018,"date":"2022-02-04T13:39:39","date_gmt":"2022-02-04T11:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medicare-group.hu\/laboratory-tests\/laboratory-test-packages\/pcos-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-laboratory-test-package\/"},"modified":"2025-04-17T13:10:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T11:10:48","slug":"pcos-laboratory-test-package","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/medicare-group.hu\/en\/laboratory-tests\/laboratory-test-packages\/pcos-laboratory-test-package\/","title":{"rendered":"PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) laboratory test package"},"content":{"rendered":"

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) laboratory test package<\/h1>\n\t
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Performing our PCOS laboratory package tests is recommended if polycystic ovary syndrome is suspected. The laboratory tests included in the package will help diagnose the syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

What is PCOS?<\/h2>\n\t
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PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome (or Stein \u2013 Leventhal syndrome), which covers not only the ovaries but the whole body. In addition to genetic predisposition, lifestyle (overweight, stress, sedentary lifestyle) is an important factor in the development of metabolic disorders affecting the female hormonal system. Nowadays, its occurrence is very common, affecting about 5-7% of women.<\/p>\n

The cause of the syndrome is the predominance of steroid hormones (male sex hormone). The predominance of androgenic hormone in the female body is associated with menstrual disorders, increased hair growth, and acne prone skin. A capsule forms on the surface of the ovaries, which prevents the rupture of follicles (ovulation). The uncracked follicles thus remain in the ovaries, forming tiny cysts that become visible in a shape similar to beads on the ultrasound image.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\"PCOS<\/div>
PCOS labor csomag<\/figcaption>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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The syndrome is often accompanied by insulin resistance and diabetes, as these conditions can trigger a number of additional hormonal and metabolic changes in the body. Ovarian and adrenal disorders increase the production of androgenic hormones (testosterone, DHEA-S, androstenedione), luteinizing hormone (LH), and at the same time reduce the secretion of progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which can be clearly detected with the laboratory test package.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

What symptoms may indicate PCOS?<\/h2>\n\t
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PCOS can cause both internal medicinal, gynaecological complaints, and skin problems. It does not have uniformly characteristic symptoms, it usually causes different complaints at each stage of life, in a \u201ccomposition\u201d that varies from individual to individual.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms include acne, oily skin, brown discolouration of the neck or armpits, severe hair growth on the face and body due to the predominance of male hormones, baldness and thinning hair, obesity around the abdomen, and after meals, sudden tiredness or tremor, irregular or missing menstrual cycle, or infertility.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

When is it recommended to perform the PCOS laboratory package?<\/h2>\n\t
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If PCOS is suspected, it is advisable to consult an endocrinologist, but gynaecological and internal medical tests are also required for diagnosis. The examination continues after exploring the complaints and physical examination (body weight, waist and hip circumference measurement, body mass index determination, blood pressure measurement) with laboratory tests included in the PCOS laboratory package, as well as abdominal and vaginal ultrasound examinations. The latter can be used to detect the presence of uncracked follicles in the ovaries and the thickening of the endometrium caused by the absence of menstruation.<\/p>\n

PCOS can be considered if the tests confirm the presence of at least two of the following 3 main symptoms:<\/p>\n

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  1. Irregular menstruation or ovulation disorder<\/li>\n
  2. Male hormone overweight<\/li>\n
  3. Ultrasound shows tiny cysts under the ovarian cortex<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    What tests does the PCOS package include?<\/h2>\n\t
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    The PCOS laboratory package includes testing for female and male sex hormones, monitoring thyroid function<\/a> and vitamin D levels, and a 3-point oral glucose tolerance test combined with insulin measurement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Hormone tests<\/a><\/h4><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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    Total and free testosterone:<\/strong> an androgenic hormone produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands in women. An increase in free testosterone levels may occur with normal total testosterone levels. As a result of its increased value, masculine features appear (thick body hair, masculine baldness), which may also be due to PCOS.<\/p>\n

    Prolactin:<\/strong> The hormone prolactin helps initiate and maintain milk secretion after childbirth. In addition to pregnancy, low and high levels may indicate PCOS, among other things.<\/p>\n

    Oestradiol:<\/strong> A type of oestrogen hormone produced by the maturing follicle. The determination of oestradiol levels is primarily used to test ovarian function. A lower value may also indicate PCOS.<\/p>\n

    Androstenedione:<\/strong> an androgenic hormone produced in women by the ovaries and adrenal cortex. Its level varies during the menstrual cycle, helping to monitor ovarian function. In the case of PCOS, its level is increased.<\/p>\n

    DHEA-S:<\/strong> androgenic hormone, which in women can be converted into female sex hormone, oestrogen. Its high level causes amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and masculinity. Elevated values \u200b\u200bare also characteristic of PCOS.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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    \"labor<\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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    Progesterone:<\/strong> plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of pregnancy but is also partly responsible for the regulation of the female menstrual cycle. Its concentration also indicates whether a follicular rupture has occurred.<\/p>\n

    AMH (anti-M\u00fcllerian hormone):<\/strong> produced by eggs that are still maturing, so the expected length of the fertility period can be deduced from its level. As the years go by, its level gradually decreases. AMH is significantly elevated in PCOS, preventing early follicular maturation.<\/p>\n

    FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone, follicle maturation hormone):<\/strong> FSH initiates the growth and development of follicles in the ovaries. By determining its level, we can get information about the function of the ovaries, in case of PCOS, its value is normal or decreased.<\/p>\n

    LH (luteinizing hormone, corpus luteum stimulating hormone):<\/strong> LH triggers ovulation (follicular rupture). It further matures the follicle prepared by FSH; when LH levels increase, ovulation occurs. By determining its level, we can get information about the function of the ovaries, its elevated value indicates insufficiency. In case of PCOS, the normal 1:1 LH:FSH ratio shifts in favour of LH.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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    \"blood<\/div>\n\t\t<\/figure>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Thyroid function<\/a><\/h4>\n\t
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    TSH:<\/strong> We examine the levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone, TSH , which is produced in the pituitary gland and stimulates thyroid hormone production. In case of PCOS, TSH levels are usually elevated and the thyroid gland has decreased function.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

    Metabolism<\/a><\/h4>\n\t
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    3-point oral glucose tolerance test with insulin measurement:<\/strong> In addition to consuming a solution containing 75g of glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test is performed, in parallel with which the insulin level, the degree of secretion and its change are measured. With PCOS, blood sugar levels and insulin levels are also elevated.<\/p>\n

    Vitamin D:<\/strong> Vitamin D plays a role similar to hormones in the development and maturation of eggs. In case of PCOS, its levels are low, which can also affect the intensity of the symptoms that occur.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n