PCOS blood tests ?

[Loo89]

Today I have had my first lot of blood tests for PCOS (CD1-5) and I have another one due on CD21. I think I mostly understand what they are looking for, hormone wise, but I was also tested for something to do with glucose, and T4 was written on the form as well. I don't know what that is about - does anyone know?

I have a third blood test form (which is a haematology one, the others are clinical biochemistry), and the only thing that has been written on it is "FBL" in the Investigation Required section, and "?PCOS" in clinical details. What the heck are they testing? The only thing I can find on Google is Ferritin Bearing Lymphocytes which looks like it's something to do with testing for breast cancer...

Can anyone shed any light on all this? I will call the clinic, but they are usually very vague.

Edit - I also don't know when I am supposed to have this one done, as the others have cycle days written on the forms.

 

[Loo89]

Could it be a Fasting Blood Glucose test? She never said anything about fasting... but glucose would make sense... *sigh* better phone the clinic, this is silly!

 

[LoveCakes]

T4 may be to do with your thyroid, I had this tested with hormones.

Glucose tests would make sense as PCOS can be related to insulin.

Also be aware that blood tests don't give you a 100% accurate result. I had 2 GPs tell me I didn't have PCOS based on blood tests then a scan showed typical PCO but no other symptoms. I'm sure if you're at a fertility clinic they'll be more on the ball though.

Personally I'd wait and see what the results come back with. The Dr will explain everything and I've been in the position of googling until you make things up! Easier said than done though

 

[Loo89]

Thanks. I thought glucose would make the most sense too, but I need to check if I should fast. (Don't want to fast if I don't have to, I always faint with blood tests anyway!) I tried to call the clinic yesterday but no drs available, hopefully they'll call me back today.

How did you get your diagnosis in the end? Congratulations on your pregnancy

 

[SabrinaKat]

T4 is for thyroid and very important! I have mild PCOS and mild underactive thyroid, but we never knew about the thyroid (I was tested back in the late 1990s regarding PCOS, but not for thyroid) until after a mc and pre-IVF testing. Although my thyroid was only slightly underactive, my GP put me on a mild dosage of eltroxin, and after a few adjusting, got a perfect 28 day cycle (they had ranged from 21 to 44 days) and the next month, got lucky naturally with a sticky!

Incidentially, sometimes underactive thryoid symptoms are so similar to PCOS (sluggishness, difficult losing weight, etc) that by looking at both, a little medication one way or another might mean a natural, normal cycle and without clomid, etc.

In my case, I think it was the thyroid and getting it sorted that was the final key and at age 44, had my rainbow!

best wishes