Post by Jana on Sept 22, 2004 15:58:50 GMT -5
Exams and Tests
If you are not pregnant or breast-feeding and have less than eight menstrual cycles in a year, an evaluation for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other hormonal problems is needed. PCOS has such a wide range of symptoms that no single test can be used to diagnose the syndrome. Several exams and tests to diagnose PCOS may be done, depending on your symptoms. These include:
A medical and family history. Your medical history will include questions about your lifestyle, including what you eat, how you exercise, and how you deal with stress.
A physical exam, including a pelvic exam.
A pregnancy test to detect an elevated level of the female hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG.
Blood tests for:
A chemistry screen that measures the levels of several substances, such as electrolytes.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), to confirm or rule out pregnancy.
Abnormal lipid levels, such as cholesterol and triglycerides.
Abnormal female hormone levels, such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Glucose levels.
Adrenal gland hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S).
Other tests may include:
Insulin levels.
Male hormone (testosterone) level testing.
Prolactin level testing.
Thyroid tests.
Transvaginal ultrasound. A PCOS ovary is usually enlarged and has eight or more cysts that appear on ultrasound in a stringlike pattern, like a necklace. Over 90% of women with PCOS will have cysts on their ovaries at some time. However, studies have shown that 8% to 25% of women without PCOS may have ultrasound findings of polycystic ovaries; so, while ultrasound may be useful to confirm the diagnosis of PCOS, it is not used as the only medical test for PCOS.
Additional tests might also be done to determine if other conditions, such as adrenal gland tumors, that have symptoms similar to PCOS might be present.
Regular follow-up testing for women who have PCOS is recomended. If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, you will need yearly tests to determine your insulin, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Regular testing will help you and your health professional reduce the risk of any long-term complications.
Early Detection
There is no screening test for PCOS
If you are not pregnant or breast-feeding and have less than eight menstrual cycles in a year, an evaluation for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other hormonal problems is needed. PCOS has such a wide range of symptoms that no single test can be used to diagnose the syndrome. Several exams and tests to diagnose PCOS may be done, depending on your symptoms. These include:
A medical and family history. Your medical history will include questions about your lifestyle, including what you eat, how you exercise, and how you deal with stress.
A physical exam, including a pelvic exam.
A pregnancy test to detect an elevated level of the female hormone human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG.
Blood tests for:
A chemistry screen that measures the levels of several substances, such as electrolytes.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), to confirm or rule out pregnancy.
Abnormal lipid levels, such as cholesterol and triglycerides.
Abnormal female hormone levels, such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Glucose levels.
Adrenal gland hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S).
Other tests may include:
Insulin levels.
Male hormone (testosterone) level testing.
Prolactin level testing.
Thyroid tests.
Transvaginal ultrasound. A PCOS ovary is usually enlarged and has eight or more cysts that appear on ultrasound in a stringlike pattern, like a necklace. Over 90% of women with PCOS will have cysts on their ovaries at some time. However, studies have shown that 8% to 25% of women without PCOS may have ultrasound findings of polycystic ovaries; so, while ultrasound may be useful to confirm the diagnosis of PCOS, it is not used as the only medical test for PCOS.
Additional tests might also be done to determine if other conditions, such as adrenal gland tumors, that have symptoms similar to PCOS might be present.
Regular follow-up testing for women who have PCOS is recomended. If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, you will need yearly tests to determine your insulin, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Regular testing will help you and your health professional reduce the risk of any long-term complications.
Early Detection
There is no screening test for PCOS
