The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Short profile checks the hormone, blood sugar and cholesterol markers most often used to investigate PCOS, including testosterone, the sex hormones FSH and LH, fasting glucose and insulin, and thyroid function. It's for women with symptoms such as irregular periods, acne or excess hair growth where PCOS is being considered. The profile costs £238.75 plus a £50 blood-draw fee, with results back in 1 day. You can walk in or book online at 117a Harley Street, seven days a week, with no GP referral needed.
This profile is typically requested when a woman has irregular or absent periods, acne, or excess facial or body hair, symptoms that can point towards PCOS but also overlap with other hormonal conditions.
It's also used to monitor known PCOS, particularly to keep an eye on insulin resistance and cholesterol, both more common with the condition.
Some women request it while investigating fertility difficulties, since PCOS is one of the more common underlying causes of irregular ovulation.
Because this profile includes fasting glucose and insulin, you should fast, having nothing to eat or drink except water for at least 8 hours beforehand. The laboratory also needs to know whether your sample is fasting or non-fasting, so tell the phlebotomist when you attend. Aside from this, most people don't need any other special preparation, but do follow any additional instruction from your doctor.
Raised testosterone or a raised free androgen index, together with irregular cycles, is one pattern doctors look for when considering PCOS, though it's never diagnosed from blood results alone.
Raised insulin or glucose can point towards insulin resistance, which is common in PCOS and worth addressing regardless of the underlying cause. Thyroid and cholesterol results need reading in their own right too, since either can be affected independently.
A doctor needs to bring the whole picture together with your symptoms, cycle history and sometimes an ultrasound scan before reaching a diagnosis, so book a follow-up appointment to go through the report.
For a specialist assessment of PCOS and its management, see the PCOS assessment at Gynae Clinic.
Written by Mr Stephen Lingam. Reviewed by Dr Penelope Sheehan.
No. It provides the hormone, blood sugar and cholesterol picture doctors use as part of a PCOS assessment, but diagnosis also usually involves your cycle history and sometimes an ultrasound scan.
Yes, fasting is needed because the profile includes fasting glucose and insulin. Tell the phlebotomist whether your sample is fasting when you attend.
Hormonal contraception can affect some of these markers, particularly testosterone and SHBG, so mention any contraception you're using when you book or attend.
Results are back within 1 day.