PCOS blood test results - Help?!??

[Kay94]

Hi all,

I'm so worried after having a scan today which I think indicated PCOS, even though the lady wouldn't tell me the results. I generally have normal periods but the last few months have been abnormal. Can someone help me understand my blood work before my doctors app next week as I'm really worried. Taken 7 days before period due

Serum TSH level: 2.45 (normal)
Serum Prolactin level: 194 (normal)
serum LH level: 11.6
Serum FAH level: 8.4 (normal)
Serum progesterone: less than 1
serum testosterone: 1.3 (normal)
Serum sex hormone binding globulin: 14 (flagged as abnormal but not cause for concern)
Testosterone/SHGB ratio: 9.4 (flagged as abnormal but not cause for concern)

If anyone can help interpret these I would be so so grateful

What cycle day was this done on?. Blood tests for hormones have to be done on the correct cycle day.

How have your cycles changed; have they lengthened markedly these past few months?. What sort of doctor are you seeing next week; a GP or a gynae?.

LH and FSH should ideally be tested on or around day 2 (or the second of the month if the menstrual cycle is irregular). Progesterone is normally tested around day 21 (or the 21st of the month).

These were done 7 days before my period was due (day 24 for me). Thanks for your reply, I'm so worried about it!

I'm speaking to my GP next week, who hopefully will refer me onto a gynae.

My periods are generally on time (30-32) days after coming off the pill. However, I had the AstraZeneca vaccine in March and since then my periods were delayed and then in April it was early, which is why I asked my GP to test me.

When did you come off the pill?. I would think the AZ vaccine is not a factor at all in your periods being as they are now.

If they do a repeat blood test the hormone levels have to be tested on the correct cycle day otherwise the results are meaningless.

Women with PCOS often have raised testosterone (but not always) so it’s a good sign that yours is normal. When I had my diagnosis my AMH and testosterone were both really high. They also saw lots of cysts on my ovaries. Hopefully when you get your scan results that will make things clearer for you. I had to chase my gp for this(!).

Try not to worry too much though. Even if you do have it, lots of people have PCOS and go on to conceive just fine 😊

Thank you so much for your reply Songbird21. I'm really worried about it so it is nice to hear from someone who has been through the same thing.

I came off the pill in November and my periods were pretty normal until March, when they became a bit sporadic.

Have you found anything that has helped with the PCOS? I've heard a low carb/sugar diet really helps.

I would look at a low GI/GL eating plan as this can be helpful to those with PCOS. It can be easier to follow and maintain in the longer term than low carb.

Collette Harris has written some cookbooks with PCOS in mind.

I have PCOS and I am a parent. Although many women with PCOS go onto conceive it is not always an easy path to conception.

I was similar, came off the pill, had a few regular cycles and then periods just stopped!

I've heard the same about low carb / sugar and am trying to be better with this. I also take inositol which is supposed to help. Honestly, neither of these things made a difference in regulating my cycles but my bloods were more abnormal than yours and it can't hurt to try! It definitely does work for some people and my doctor said to keep going with it.

I went to a private doctor in the end and am taking medication to induce ovulation (letrazole). I've had three regular cycles this way, no luck yet but I'm hopeful! I recently started taking metformin as well which is supposed to help.

There are lots of options

How strange that you had the same experience regarding the pill, I really do regret not getting off it earlier!!

I think once I've spoken to my GP I will try and get a referral. I'm based in London, so if you are nearby and happy with your doctor I'd love a recommendation. I know it can be very expensive but I do think it'll be worth paying to go private.

I'm trying to start the low carb/sugar and am also going to start Insitol. I have put on weight from 3 years ago when I last had a blood test, so it might help generally. It is quite scary as I just didn't think it would be so difficult to conceive...

Also I have my fingers firmly crossed for you that your next cycle will be the one 💕🤞🏽

Thank you @AttilaTheMeerkat for the advice. I will definitely look into it!

I'm hopeful that we will conceive eventually and I'm glad I've discovered this now rather than further down the line.... I'm just worried about how long it will take to get to that point and how expensive it will be if we go private.. but I guess I'll know once I speak to the doctors next week. ☺️