Blood Tests for PCOS

[babyblues]

Hi Ladies

I have a question, when is the best time of your cycle to have the bloodtests for PCOS. I ask this because I have just had some bloodtests done but due to irregular periods and my cycle just gone being 65days I had the bloodtests on day 64. The results have come back normal, which is good I guess but it worries me because my results 12 months ago, had me at mid cycle (although I had not had a period in 24months) with high testosterone and high cholestoral. My doctor at the time told me it was bad luck about cholestoral and that the extra testosterone should make me hornier!! I am just worried about that the blood test may not be a true indication of what is going on.

I have also been tracking my cycles and have also notice that I have not ovulated at all since I re started my period 12 months ago. I have a history of cysts on my ovaries as well as my mother, her twin and all the female side of my mums family having PCOS. This is very frustrating the doctors look at me as I am an idiot. I just want to have a baby!

Sorry for my rant but any help so I can arm myself before I goto the doctors would be great.

Thanks
Katrina

[tan32]

I had blood tests done when i was first diagnosed, so i can understand your frustration, my GP did tests and said i had PCOS he refered me to a gyno who did another round of tests and said i didnt have PCOS, he then did a laproscopy and it came back that i did have PCOS. (this was about 13 years ago)

Anyway last year i went through the cycle again and this time i went to a really good gyno, she did al the tests at different times of my cycle and they all came back PCOS.
Ask your doctor to refer you to a fertility or gyno as you have been trying for a baby and its not happening and then get some tests done again, its frustrating i know .
But if you are truly not happy with your Drs i would get a second opionion or get referred to some one who will listen.
Big hugs to you

[briggsy's girl]

i would suggest you get a second opinion - one hormone test isn't enough to diagnose PCOS - it's done in conjunction with u/s - and you can't "know" hormone levels are right if you don't have a cycle as such! there is nothing that could be considered "normal" about hormones on CD64!

maybe ask for a referral to a gyne - if your GP doesn't sound keen, don't mention your suspicion of PCOS, tell him you want to have the anovulatory cycles investigated...

good luck with getting some answers

[babyblues]

Thanks ladies

I have had the ultrasound done on CD4, and the girl doing the ultra sound was asking about pcos, and when I called for the results I was told that I would have to go in to see the doctor, so I will tell her about the blood tests and see what she says. If she is a bit hesistant I will request a referral to a good gyn. Any suggestions on who to see in Melb?

[kalinka]

Heya,

I'm in Melb. but I ended up going to one of the infertility doctors with an IVF clinic rather than a gynae. But regarding the BT, they should be testing on CD 3 for LH:FSH ratio (high LH, Lutenising Hormone, relative to FSH, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, is indicative of PCOS) and testing for insulin resistance, androgens (testosterone) and CD 21 (for a 28 day cycle!) progesterone levels.

High LH, insulin resistance and high testosterone are the main markers for PCOS that I've encountered. An ultrasound checking for poly-cystic ovaries is another diagnostic point, although you can have PCOS with normal-ish looking ovaries. Finally, lack of regular ovulation and/or regular menstrual cycles is the other main point. If you showed high testosterone levels, aren't ovulating and have a history of irregular cycles, PCOS is very possible. High cholesterol is another common link, although it's more tightly associated with the overweight and insulin resistance symptoms than with PCOS per say. Syndrome X (which many GPs are more familiar with) is also closely correlated with PCOS; families where PCOS is frequently found often have the men showing Syndrome X.

Good luck.

[Chook83]

Hi,

my gyn/obs diagnosed me with PCOS after reading the results from my U/S, as well as looking at my strange hormone levels from all my BT's. Have only known about my PCOS for 3 weeks, but it explains my 12 years of irregular cycles.

I am currently day 23 of clomid cycle, if this does not work they want to try IUI next cycle.
has anyone had any luck with the IUI?