PCOS: What Blood Tests Do I Need?

Before you get a diagnosis, you should know what blood tests do I need for PCOS. These include Serum cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and the Sex hormone-binding globulin levels. However, some blood tests may be affected by a specific diet. In addition to these blood tests, you should be aware that some fatty foods may impact the results.

Serum triglyceride levels

Serum triglyceride levels are one of the key features of blood tests for PCOS. These measurements give your doctor a good sense of what you should eat and avoid, including refined carbohydrates, trans fats, and saturated fats. Advanced lipid tests can also reveal whether you are at risk for a heart attack or other complications from high triglyceride levels.

In addition to total triglyceride levels, lipids and cholesterol in large and very small VLDL particles are associated with an increased risk of PCOS. High triglyceride levels are also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, since women with PCOS tend to have higher levels of this metabolite. The presence of too much triglyceride levels may also indicate insulin-insensitivity, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Serum cholesterol levels

A PCOS diagnosis is only possible if you have certain blood tests. These tests can be performed by your health care provider if you are experiencing certain symptoms or if your symptoms run in your family. These tests will help your health care provider confirm that you have PCOS and rule out other disorders. They will also help them prescribe the best treatment for your PCOS. Here are some important blood tests to have performed by your health care provider:

A cholesterol test, also known as a lipid panel, measures the cholesterol levels in the body and is useful for ruling out other conditions that mimic PCOS. Your doctor may want to check your blood for signs of hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone. High levels of this hormone increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Approximately 70% of women with PCOS have elevated levels of cholesterol.

Sex hormone-binding globulin levels

One of the factors that can lead to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome is low sex hormone-binding globulin levels. Many women with this disorder also experience insulin resistance. Several studies have linked this gene to insulin resistance and PCOS. However, more research is needed to determine the exact link between sex hormone-binding globulin and pcos.

A recent study suggests that decreased sex hormone-binding globulin levels are related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Researchers have also studied the role of SHBG polymorphisms, altered SHBG levels, and specific genetic variants in women with PCOS. The study employed real-time PCR to genotype the SHBG gene. The rs727428 polymorphism was independently associated with PCOS in multivariate analysis.