PCOS Blood Test | Female Reproductive Hormone Test

What

This panel measures various hormone levels give you insights about your reproductive health; total testosterone, unconjugated DHEA, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin.

Who

Women who experience any symptoms mentioned below or are interested in checking hormone levels that impact their menstrual cycle and reproductive health. Must be 18 years of age to purchase.

How

Blood

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit one of the Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers.

About the Test

Your body’s reproductive hormones may be the main reason for irregular periods and problems with ovulation. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, but many women don’t know they have it. It affects about one in 15 women, and an estimated 75% of females with PCOS remain undiagnosed. Measure total testosterone, unconjugated DHEA, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and prolactin levels in the blood to help see if any criteria are the same as those used to diagnose PCOS and other reproductive hormone problems. This panel may help you and your healthcare provider to identify next steps for handling any symptoms you may be experiencing.

This test may be right for you if all the following are true:

You have irregular menstrual cycles or other symptoms of reproductive endocrine disorders (listed below)
You are not pregnant
You are not taking hormone replacement therapy

Reproductive hormone problems can only be diagnosed by a healthcare provider based on your symptoms and history. By getting tested, you and your healthcare provider can understand the cause of your symptoms and identify next steps.

This test panel measures hormone levels in your blood that are commonly evaluated by healthcare providers to diagnose PCOS and other similar reproductive hormone problems. Each test falls into a category: androgen excess, ovulatory dysfunction, and differential diagnosis.

Androgen excess
Androgens are sex hormones that signal the body to have “male” characteristics. Hyperandrogenism is when there is too much of an androgen in the body and can cause issues like extra facial and body hair growth for women. Testing for excess androgens helps identify reproductive hormone issues when the other signs aren't clear or present.

Testosterone is an androgen steroid hormone associated with the development of sex characteristics, bone health, and sex drive. Higher than normal levels of total testosterone in females can lead to hyperandrogenism and can be related to PCOS.

DHEA is a hormone, produced in the adrenal gland, that helps make other hormones like testosterone and estrogen, and levels usually peak in early adulthood and slowly fall with age. Testing DHEA levels helps healthcare providers determine the source of androgens in hyperandrogenic conditions like PCOS when testosterone levels are normal.

Ovulatory dysfunction
Ovulatory dysfunction is when a woman’s menstrual cycle doesn’t follow the typical pattern, or if her period is missing completely (known as amenorrhea). In ovulatory dysfunction, reproductive hormone problems are less common than other causes of irregular cycles, which should be ruled out by your healthcare provider (e.g. menopause).

FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs, and it also controls the menstrual cycle. With aging, estrogen levels decrease and FSH levels increase. This test measures the level of FSH in your blood. High levels can indicate that you have begun the menopause transition.

Luteinizing hormone is another sex hormone produced by the pituitary gland that helps to control the menstrual cycle and triggers ovulation. Levels outside of typical range may cause irregular periods. As estrogen levels decrease with aging, LH levels increase. High levels of LH may indicate the beginning of menopause or can indicate a problem where your hypothalamus causes your period to stop, commonly due to excessive exercise, stress, or undereating (hypothalamic amenorrhea).

Estradiol is the primary and most potent form of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen is first produced at puberty. Estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle during your reproductive years but begin to decline during the menopause transition. A low level of estradiol may indicate the start of the menopause transition or can indicate a problem where your hypothalamus causes your period to stop, commonly due to excessive exercise, stress, or undereating (hypothalamic amenorrhea).

Differential diagnosis (other causes of menstrual irregularities)
Other health conditions share many of the same signs and symptoms with reproductive hormone issues and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. The following hormones are included in this panel to help identify other possible causes of irregular periods:

The Thyroid Function Test measures thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood to evaluate thyroid function, which is critical for regulating weight, energy, body temperature, mood, and overall health. If your TSH levels are abnormally high or low, this may indicate that your thyroid is either underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). During menopause, TSH levels can also rise as estrogen decreases. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are like those experienced during menopause, so it is important to screen for thyroid disease when discussing irregular periods. If you have severe symptoms, it may be an indication of an underactive thyroid. If test results identify abnormal TSH levels, free thyroxine (T4) blood levels will be tested using your submitted sample at no additional cost to you to provide information needed to help diagnose hypothyroidism.

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is responsible for the development of certain breast tissues, as well as lactation after giving birth. Levels are high in women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and are normally low all other times. High levels can also indicate the presence of a prolactinoma, a benign (noncancerous) tumor in the pituitary gland and can cause irregular periods and hot flashes. Therefore, testing these levels can help your healthcare provider determine if you may have other health issues or are in menopause.

The following signs and symptoms may indicate reproductive hormone problems in women:

Hirsutism (growing face or body hair in unusually large amounts)
Weight gain or bloating
Acne
Androgenic alopecia (thinning hair)
Enlarged polycystic ovaries
Infertility
Hot flashes or flushes
Irregular menstrual cycles
Insomnia
Mood changes
Breast tenderness or pain
Depression
Headaches

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

If you have a period during your cycle, it is best to have your sample collected on cycle days 2, 3 or 4 (cycle day 1 is the first day of your period). If you do not get your period, the test can be performed at any time. You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to discuss your results with an independent physician. Together, you can determine the next best steps for your care.

If thyroid (TSH) level is outside the normal range, then free thyroxine (T4) will be tested using the sample you have already provided at no additional cost.

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After your purchase, schedule an appointment at a nearby Quest Diagnostics location and have your specimen sample collected by a trained healthcare professional.

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Access test results from your phone as soon as they’re available, with the option to discuss your results with an independent physician at no extra cost.

Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

FAQs

Can I still get pregnant if I have irregular periods or problems with ovulation caused by reproductive hormone problems, like PCOS?

Yes, it is still possible to get pregnant. Early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and treatment are important for your overall health, including your fertility. You can use this test to kickstart an informative conversation with your healthcare provider to identify next steps.

What is PCOS and can it be cured?

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a common endocrine (hormone) disorder that affects about one in 15 women of reproductive age. Common signs and symptoms include androgen excess (abnormal hair growth and acne), menstrual irregularity, and metabolic dysfunction (obesity, insulin resistance, etc.) It is one of the most common causes of female infertility, affecting 6-12% (as many as 5 million) of reproductive-age women in the United States. There are currently no exact causes or known cures for PCOS, but with the help of your healthcare provider, there are lifestyle changes and potential treatment options to help manage the condition.

Our references

References:

Quest Diagnostics. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Clinical Focus. https://testdirectory.questdiagnostics.com/test/test-guides/CF_PCOS/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos

Sources:

Prevalence of PCOS - CDC
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes | CDC

Androgen Excess & PCOS Society Patient Resources
For patients - Androgen Excess & PCOS Society (ae-society.org)

Menstrual Irregularities Test Panel