PCOS Test Large

About this test – PCOS Test Large

Key Benefits

• Broader PCOS Related Insight: Helps assess hormone and metabolic patterns linked to irregular cycles, androgen activity, skin changes, hair changes, blood sugar and thyroid function.

• At Home Blood Collection: Your blood sample is collected in the comfort of your home and taken for laboratory analysis.

• Appointment Arranged Within 48 Hours: A healthcare professional will contact you within 48 hours to arrange your appointment.

• UKAS Accredited Laboratory: Your sample is analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

• Fast Online Results: Secure online results are available within 1 to 3 working days.

What This Test Measures

Androgen Status and Availability
Helps assess testosterone, SHBG and free androgen index, which may add context around acne, excess hair growth, hair thinning, libido changes and cycle irregularity.

Reproductive Hormone Signalling and Ovarian Context
Looks at hormones involved in ovarian signalling, cycle regulation and ovarian reserve context.

Stress and Adrenal Related Hormones
Includes cortisol and DHEA sulphate, which may provide additional context around stress response, energy, androgen related patterns and hormone balance.

Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health
Provides insight into blood sugar regulation and metabolic markers that may be relevant for PCOS related patterns, energy, cravings and weight changes.

Heart and Lipid Health
Looks at cholesterol and lipid patterns commonly used to understand cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Thyroid Function
Helps assess thyroid signalling, which may be relevant for energy, metabolism, weight changes, mood and cycle related patterns.

How It Works

1. Order Your Test
Purchase your test online.

2. Arrange Your Appointment
A healthcare professional will contact you within 48 hours to arrange your at home blood collection appointment.

3. Blood Sample Collection
Your blood sample is collected in the comfort of your home.

4. Laboratory Analysis
Your sample is analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory.

5. Receive Your Results
Access your secure online results within 1 to 3 working days.

Laboratory Quality and Accreditation

Your sample is analysed by a UKAS accredited laboratory operating in accordance with ISO 15189 standards, the internationally recognised standard for medical laboratories.

The laboratory follows established procedures for sample handling, analysis and quality control to support accurate and reliable results. Your results are securely returned to GetTested and made available through your online account.

Preparation Instructions

• Appointment Timing: A morning appointment is recommended where possible, as cortisol and hormone levels can vary throughout the day.

• Cycle Timing: If you have a regular menstrual cycle, book your blood sample collection around day 2 to 5 of your cycle for baseline hormone assessment.

• Before Testing: Stay well hydrated before your appointment and avoid heavy alcohol intake or unusually intense exercise the day before your blood sample is collected.

• Routine Before Testing: Keep your usual eating pattern before your appointment, as this test includes random glucose.

• Medication and Hormone Treatment: Do not stop or change prescribed medication or hormone treatment unless advised by a healthcare professional.

• Biotin Supplements: Avoid high dose biotin supplements for at least 48 hours before testing, unless advised by a healthcare professional, as biotin may interfere with some thyroid blood test results.

Important

This test is not a substitute for urgent medical care. If you require immediate medical attention, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services.

Biomarkers included – PCOS Test Large

• Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG): Androgen Status and Availability — Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to sex hormones, primarily testosterone and estrogen, in the bloodstream. By binding these hormones, SHBG regulates their bioavailability, meaning only the 'free' or unbound hormones can interact with target cells and exert their biological effects. Therefore, SHBG levels are crucial for understanding the true hormon
• Testosterone: Androgen Status and Availability — Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, although it is also produced in smaller amounts in women. It plays a crucial role in male reproductive development, muscle mass, bone density, and sex drive. In women, testosterone contributes to libido, muscle mass, and bone health. Imbalances can lead to various issues, including decreased libido, erectile dysfunction (in men), fatigue, loss of muscl
• Free Androgen Index: Androgen Status and Availability — The Free Androgen Index (FAI) is a ratio calculated by comparing total testosterone levels to Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) to estimate the amount of 'free' or active testosterone in the bloodstream. It is a critical marker for assessing hyperandrogenism, helpfully identifying hormonal imbalances even when total testosterone levels appear within a normal range.
• FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Reproductive Hormone Signalling and Ovarian Context — Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and plays an important role in reproductive function in both women and men. In women, FSH helps stimulate the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles and varies across the menstrual cycle. In men, FSH supports sperm production through its action on Sertoli cells in the testes. Measuring FSH can help assess fertility and ovari
• Luteinising Hormone: Reproductive Hormone Signalling and Ovarian Context — Luteinising Hormone (LH) is a gonadotropin produced by the pituitary gland that plays a critical role in regulating the reproductive system. In women, a surge in LH triggers ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum, while in men, it stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone.
• Anti-Mullerian Hormone: Reproductive Hormone Signalling and Ovarian Context — Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is a hormone produced by the ovarian follicles that serves as a primary indicator of a woman's ovarian reserve, or remaining egg supply. It is crucial for assessing fertility potential, predicting the onset of menopause, and monitoring conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
• DHEA Sulphate: Stress and Adrenal Related Hormones — DHEA Sulphate (DHEAS) is a precursor hormone produced primarily by the adrenal glands that the body converts into more potent androgens and estrogens. It serves as a vital indicator of adrenal gland function and helps in diagnosing the causes of virilization, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and hormonal imbalances.
• Cortisol: Stress and Adrenal Related Hormones — Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands, known as the body's primary stress hormone. It plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, immune response, and blood pressure, making its levels important for assessing stress response and adrenal function.
• HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c): Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health — HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) measures the average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months by assessing the percentage of hemoglobin in red blood cells that is coated with sugar. It's a crucial indicator for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, as persistently high levels denote poor long-term glucose control, increasing the risk of diabetes-related complications. This test provides a more stable an
• Random Glucose: Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health — Random glucose is a measure of the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood at any given time, without regard to when you last ate. It is an important indicator for screening and diagnosing diabetes and prediabetes, as well as monitoring blood sugar control in individuals with these conditions.
• HDL % of total: Heart and Lipid Health — The HDL percentage of total cholesterol is a ratio that compares 'good' HDL cholesterol to your overall cholesterol count. It is a critical marker for assessing cardiovascular risk, as it indicates how much of your total cholesterol is actively being cleared from the bloodstream rather than accumulating in the arteries.
• HDL Cholesterol: Heart and Lipid Health — HDL cholesterol, often referred to as "good" cholesterol, is a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver, where it is broken down and removed from the body. Higher levels of HDL are generally associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, as it helps prevent the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. Measuring HDL levels is important
• Non-HDL Cholesterol: Heart and Lipid Health — Non HDL cholesterol represents the total amount of cholesterol carried by all cholesterol containing particles except HDL. This includes LDL cholesterol and other particles that may contribute to cholesterol buildup in blood vessels. Because it includes more cholesterol carrying particles than LDL alone, non HDL cholesterol can provide a broader view of lipid related cardiovascular risk. It may be
• LDL Cholesterol: Heart and Lipid Health — LDL cholesterol, often referred to as "bad" cholesterol, is a type of lipoprotein that carries cholesterol to your tissues and arteries. High levels of LDL can lead to the buildup of cholesterol in the arteries (atherosclerosis), increasing the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Measuring LDL levels is a key component of assessing cardiovascular health and determining the need for li
• Triglycerides: Heart and Lipid Health — Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood. Your body uses triglycerides for energy, but high levels can increase your risk of heart disease and other health problems. They are primarily measured to assess cardiovascular health and metabolic risk.
• Total Cholesterol: Heart and Lipid Health — Total cholesterol is a measure of the total amount of cholesterol in your blood, including LDL (bad), HDL (good), and other lipid components. While it provides a general overview of cholesterol levels, it's important to consider the individual levels of LDL and HDL for a more complete assessment of cardiovascular risk. High total cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone: Thyroid Function — Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland to regulate the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. It is a critical indicator of thyroid health, used to screen for conditions like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

Frequently asked questions – PCOS Test Large

How is PCOS Test Large different from PCOS Test Small?

PCOS Test Large includes androgen and reproductive hormone markers together with AMH, stress related hormones, blood sugar, lipid and thyroid markers for a broader PCOS related overview.

Does this test diagnose PCOS?

No. This test provides hormone and metabolic marker insight that may be relevant to PCOS related patterns, but it does not diagnose PCOS on its own.

Can I reschedule my appointment?

Yes, appointments can be rearranged. Please provide sufficient notice before your scheduled appointment.

What happens if my sample cannot be analysed?

If a sample is unsuitable for analysis, our customer support team will contact you with information about the next steps.

Customer reviews – PCOS Test Large

4.7/5 (3)

• 4/5 — The results came back faster than expected.
• 5/5 — Super easy process and the thyroid markers were really helpful for my cycle tracking.
• 5/5 — Appreciate the broad range of markers, especially the blood sugar and androgen balance. Very informative for managing my symptoms.