WHAT BLOOD TESTS NEEDED?!

I am going to my doctor... just my primary, and need bloodwork. I get it every 3 months b/c of my blood pressure anyway. Can anyone tell me EXACTLY what I need to ask them to test for? My ob/gyn told me I have PCOS... kind of passively. Nothing is being done about it. I have had it for a long time. I know it... I just have. My 2 sisters and MOM have thyroid issues. I know sometimes thyroid tests don't exactly show the whole truth. (As for thyroid issues, too, that is) So I need to tell these people exactly what I want tested.... Thanks for any info you can give!! Gina

Replies

  • CharRicho
    CharRicho Posts: 389 Member
    I have a copy of one of my blood tests and this is what I had done:

    Fasting glucose
    Glucose 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test
    Testosterone
    Sex-hormone binding globulin
    Free androgen index
    Prolactin
    Thyroid stimulating hormone

    But I have had other tests done as well, I can't remember which ones exactly..

    I do remember that one of them was Vitamin D because apparently a lot of women with PCOS are deficient in Vitamin D (they're not sure the cause-effect situation there though) and I was in fact VERY low on Vitamin D, so ask for that if they don't recommend it. I don't think it's a regular one but my doctor at the time was extremely on the ball (unfortunately I've since moved and now hate my new doctor :( )
  • gr8xpectationz
    gr8xpectationz Posts: 161 Member
    CharRicho's suggestions seem like good ones, and I will second the suggestion of a Vitamin D test. I, too, was very very low, and supplementing with Vitamin D helped me a lot.

    If you find that your OBGYN and your primary care aren't hugely helpful with PCOS, get a referral to an endocrinologist or a reproductive endocrinologist. They know lots about PCOS.
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    i just got my results yesterday and they confirmed pcos and tyroid problems i got tested for
    Fri Testosteron indeks
    fS-C-petid
    fS-Glukose (was high for me, indicatior for insulin resistent PCOS)
    fS-Insulin (also high, indicatior for insulin resistent PCOS)
    S-Anti-TPO (high, high white bloodcell due to tyroid)
    S-Fritt T4
    S-FSH
    S-LH
    S-Progesteron
    S-Prolaktin
    S-SHBG (low for me female hormons)
    S-Testosteron (high, male hormons inducator for hormonal PCOS and tyroid)
    S-TSH (high, thats my tyroid)

    thats at least how my doctor explained it to me
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    CharRicho's suggestions seem like good ones, and I will second the suggestion of a Vitamin D test. I, too, was very very low, and supplementing with Vitamin D helped me a lot.

    If you find that your OBGYN and your primary care aren't hugely helpful with PCOS, get a referral to an endocrinologist or a reproductive endocrinologist. They know lots about PCOS.

    yes switch doctors if you feel yours is not helpful i been to 6 different doctors the passed 10 yrs and now finally found one that did all the right test and could tell me what is wrong
  • ginaNJ73
    ginaNJ73 Posts: 26
    Thank you so much ladies!! I will make copies of your suggestions and pass them along to my doc. I will ask for an endocrinologist referral, too....
  • A lot of good tests being suggested (androgen, FSH/LH and testosterone levels, fasting glucose, tyroid T3/T4 levels). Here are a few more:
    Insulin levels (i.e. how much free insulin, could be an early indicator of insulin resistance)
    Cholesterol (PCOS causes elevated levels)
    and I asked for C Reactive Protein, which shows potential for heart disease

    I didn't have the 2 hr glucose challenge, probably because my previous fasting glucose level was OK, so your mileage may vary.

    Vitamin D level is good for anyone, not just those with PCOS.

    ~pk