PCOD(Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder) Profile

What is PCOD?

PCOD(Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder) is a condition that is a very common hormone disorder in women. PCOD is signified by the higher levels of the male sex hormones in a woman and resistance to the insulin hormone. In this condition, the egg is not released from the ovary and accumulation of fluid around the egg leads to the formation of multiple cysts. There is a wide range of symptoms of PCOD. Some of the most common symptoms are as follows:
 
– An irregular cycle of the menstrual period
– Abnormal bleeding of the uterus
– Missing out menstruation periods or lack of menstruation(amenorrhea)
– Pain in the pelvic regions
– Presence of multiple cysts in the ovary
– Enlarged ovaries
– Excess growth of facial ad body hair(hirsutism)
– Abrupt weight gain
– Problems related to acne and pimples
– Darkening or thickening of skin especially in the neck and the underarms
– Male pattern baldness or thinning of hair
– The unusual texture of voice or development of deeper voice 
– Gestational diabetes
– Uterus cancer
– Sleep apnea
– High blood pressure
– Cardiovascular diseases

What is PCOD Profile?

PCOD Profile consists of the series of tests that are used for monitoring or screening PCOD. There are several laboratory procedures for the tests to be conducted. A non-laboratory test called Pelvic Ultrasound is also a test under the PCOD profile. Surgical methods are also used sometimes for the evaluation of the status of the ovaries. Your doctor might ask you to undergo the PCOD profile for several reasons .
 
– If you had been experiencing multiple symptoms related to the PCOD, your doctor might suggest you undergo the PCOD(Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder) Profile.

– In the case that you have been facing complications regarding getting pregnant i.e. if you had been facing issues with infertility, the PCOD Profile is suggested by your health practitioner.

– If you are already undergoing the treatment for PCOD, the doctor might want to evaluate the response of your body to the treatments.

– Ureteral cancer is also monitored or screened using the PCOD Profile.

– Your doctor might suggest a PCOD Profile if you are suffering from any cardiovascular disease or disorder

– Doctors often recommend the PCOD if you have diabetes or if your body has built up resistance for insulin.
 

What are the tests which come under the PCOD(Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder) Profile?

There are several tests which come under the PCOD Profile. 
 
The laboratory tests:
 
– Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test 
– Luteinizing hormone (LH) test
– Testosterone total test
– Prolactin test
– TSH(Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
– Insulin, fasting
– Glucose, fasting

There are several other tests that are very helpful in ruling out the other conditions having similar symptoms and signs. Some of those tests are as follows:

– Sex hormone-binding globulin (SBGH) test
– Cortisol – to rule out Cushing Disorder
– Estrogens test
– 17-hydroxyprogesterone 
– IGF-1 – to rule out excess growth hormone (acromegaly)
– DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone)
– Androstenedione test
– Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test
– Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test

What are the preparations required for the test?

Overnight fasting is recommended for the laboratory tests i.e. fasting is mandatory before the sample collection for the blood and the urine tests. No new medications are introduced.

Inform your doctor about all the treatments that you are undergoing. Consult with your doctor about all the medications that you had been taking. He might suggest you stop a few medications which can affect the test results.

What is the blood test procedure for the PCOD profile?

For the blood test to be conducted, a sample of blood is collected. The blood sample is collected by venipuncture which follows the following steps:

A tight elastic band or a tourniquet is wrapped around the upper arm to make the veins more prominent. A syringe or a needle is used to make a puncture for collecting the sample of blood.

After injecting the needle the blood sample is drawn into the tube of the syringe. The tourniquet is removed. The area around the puncture s cleaned using an antiseptic. This helps in preventing any further infection.

The very spot of the puncture is dabbed using a cotton swab and a bandage is put to prevent any further bleeding. The collected blood sample is then sent for the laboratory for the tests of the PCOD profile.

What is the urine test procedure for the PCOD Profile?

For the urine test to be carried out, a sample of urine is collected. The guidelines for the collection and the storage of the urine is provided by the diagnostic center or by your health practitioner. The urine sample has to be collected over the time period of 24 hours.

You have to empty your urinary bladder completely right in the morning. All the urine passed in the next 24 hours are collected in the containers which are provided by the health practitioner or the diagnostic center.

The collected sample is stored in a cool place or a refrigerator. The sample is then sent to the laboratory r the diagnostic center for the PCOD Profile tests.

How will I feel during the PCOD tests?

The tests under the PCOD are not at all painful. The collection of the blood sample which is done by the venipuncture process can involve a pinpricking sensation when the injection or the syringe is injected. This feeling doesn’t persist and it easily wears off after a few hours of the process.

What is the price range of the PCOD Profile in India?

The price range of the PCOD in India starts from Rs 3100. the prices vary across the country depending on the location. The price for the tests varies depending on the city or the state the diagnostic center is located.

When will I get my results for the PCOD Profile?

You will get your results for the PCOD Profile within 24 hours to 36 hours of conducting the test.

How to understand my results for the PCOD Profile?

The  clinical references for all the components which are tested are under the PCOD are:

What does it mean if I have abnormal levels of the components tested in the PCOD?

If you have abnormal levels of the components which have been tested, it might indicate that you are having PCOD. Consult your health practitioner with all the reports and he might suggest you more tests to confirm your health condition. 

– If your adolescent girl is missing periods or experiencing irregular periods or very light periods, the PCOD Profile is suggested.
-The test is necessary if she is diagnosed with an enlarged ovary.
– Extra body hair, including the chest, stomach, and back (hirsutism)
– Sudden weight gain. Abnormal weight gain and fat accumulation around the belly.
– Acne and pimples
– Oily skin
– Male-pattern baldness and thinning of hair
– Formation of Skin tags which are small pieces of extra skin on the neck or armpits
– Appearing of dark skin patches especially on the neck and underarms  and even under the breasts