What is the Origin of PCOS Lab Markers?

This term is a clinical shorthand combining the acronym for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with the general term for diagnostic laboratory tests. The specific panel of markers has evolved in alignment with international diagnostic criteria, such as the Rotterdam criteria, to provide an objective, biochemical confirmation of the underlying pathophysiology. It represents the necessary objective data for a syndrome that presents heterogeneously.

What is the Mechanism of PCOS Lab Markers?

The markers directly reflect the core endocrine pathology. Elevated total or free testosterone, along with a suppressed Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), confirms biochemical hyperandrogenism, a central feature of the syndrome. Measurements of glucose and insulin, often via an oral glucose tolerance test, quantify the degree of insulin resistance, which acts as the primary driver of the androgen excess. Furthermore, the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) ratio is often assessed to evaluate the pituitary dysfunction contributing to anovulation.

PCOS Lab Markers

Meaning

PCOS Lab Markers are a specific panel of biochemical and hormonal parameters measured in blood to assist in the clinical diagnosis, accurate phenotyping, and comprehensive management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. These laboratory indicators are crucial for objectively confirming the presence of hyperandrogenism, quantifying the degree of metabolic dysfunction, and systematically excluding other endocrine disorders that can mimic the symptoms of PCOS. The markers provide a measurable basis for a syndrome defined by clinical and imaging findings.