Confused about blood results - PCOS?

[Folklore13]

I need some help interpreting blood test results! I had LH and FSH done on CD22 (I now know they are meant to be done on CD3 but GP didn’t tell me!) - my LH was 6 and FSH 2. Are these concerning? Do they indicate PCOS? Or give a clue as to when/if I ovulated? I thought I’d ovulated the day before but I’ve been having a bit of a wonky cycle. Now worried that this ratio means PCOS unless it being done in luteal phase/mid cycle makes it meaningless?

You can’t look at bloods in isolation for PCOS, you need to look at ovaries and other body symptoms as well. You shouldn’t be interpreting your bloods, can you speak to another GP or consultant if yours hasn’t been able to explain this? :-(

The guidance is having LH triple that of FSH for pcos - however the reason you can't look at it at cd22 is because LH will be higher mid cycle anyway. Ie just forget about these results from a ratio pov as they're meaningless. Take solace in having a good fsh result though!

@Juno231

The guidance is having LH triple that of FSH for pcos - however the reason you can't look at it at cd22 is because LH will be higher mid cycle anyway. Ie just forget about these results from a ratio pov as they're meaningless. Take solace in having a good fsh result though!

Bloods alone do not lead to a PCOS diagnosis, you need at least 2 of 3 criteria to be met from blood analysis, scans of ovaries and physical symptoms (irregular periods, hair growth etc). This is something that really needs a consultant to understand, PCOS is not straightforward.

@redxlondon I didnt say anything to the contrary? It doesn't take away that the LH/FSH ratio is a strong indicator so shouldn't be dismissed.

PCOS is currently diagnosed on Rotterdam criteria (www.guidelines.co.uk/womens-health/pcos-uk-guideline/236071.article), needing 2 of these:

1 - oligo- or anovulation
2 - clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism
3 - polycystic ovaries

@Juno231 is saying that LH/FSH ratio is one important indicator of number 2. Unfortunately, they've not been done at the right time so that isn't possible to determine here.

So good Qs to ask yourself and doctor for each criteria are:

1. Do you have really long or wonky cycles? Did they do a progesterone measure in your bloods?
2. Do you have any signs of hormone issues like @redxlondon said eg spots, hair loss or hair where it shouldnt be etc. Can Dr do CD3 bloods to look at LH/FSH ratio?
3. would GP refer for a scan?

Unfortunately, I have found GP will not know much or do much. I only got a referral to gynae because my cycles were about 3 months long. And I only got a referral to fertility after 1.5 years trying. Even though I had clear issues, they would not do anything until then.