Diagnosing PCOS

To confirm the diagnosis the following investigations will be undertaken:

• ultrasound scan of the pelvis to look at the ovaries (and the womb)
• blood test to measure the levels of androgens (testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin), prolactin (PRL), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• random glucose test (in some selected cases)

The following tests can also be done to rule out some other serious but less common conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as:

• androgen secreting tumours in the adrenal gland or ovary
• congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a rare inherited condition resulting in abnormal production of androgens
• Thyroid gland problems
• Cushing's syndrome caused by overproduction of the steroid cortisol by the adrenal gland

Read more on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)