Prevalence of hyperandrogenemia in the polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosed by the National Institutes of Health 1990 criteria

Abstract

Objective-To determine the prevalence of elevated total (TT) and free testosterone (FT), and DHEAS, alone and in combination, in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Design-Cross-sectional analysis Setting-Tertiary care academic medical centerPatients-Seven hundred and twenty patients diagnosed with PCOS according to the NIH 1990 criteria. Interventions-History and physical exam, and blood sampling.Main Outcome Measure(s)-Hyperandrogenemia, defined as at least one androgen value above the 95 th percentile of 98 healthy control women, i.e. TT >88 ng/dl, FT >0.75 ng/dl, and DHEAS >2750 ng/ml. Result(s)-A total of 716 PCOS subjects were included. The overall, prevalence of hyperandrogenemia in PCOS was 75.3%. Supranormal levels of FT were present in 57.6%, of TT in 33.0%, and of DHEAS in 32.7% of PCOS patients. When assessing the prevalence of two abnormal values, the prevalence of simultaneously elevated androgens was lowest with TT and DHEAS (1.7%) and highest with TT and FT (20.4%). Altogether, simultaneous elevations in all three markers were found in 8.7% of PCOS subjects.Conclusion-Approximately three-fourths of patients with PCOS diagnosed by the NIH 1990 criteria have evidence of hyperandrogenemia; the single most predictive assay was the measurement of FT with ∼60% of patients demonstrating supranormal levels.

Association study between FSHR Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn variants and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Northern Chinese Han women

“…We can see that the values of BMI, LH and PRL of the patient group are higher than the control group, whereas the FSH value is the opposite. This is consistent with the PCOS hormone level characteristics that have been previously described [9]. The FSH value for the patient group was significantly higher than the control group, whereas the E2 value of the patient group is lower than the control group.…”

Correlations of Insulin Resistance and Serum Testosterone Levels with LH:FSH Ratio and Oxidative Stress in Women with Functional Ovarian Hyperandrogenism

“…The results of our study are consistent with previous studies reporting similar endocrine changes in FOH [2][3][4]. Previous studies had unequivocally documented the correlations of IR with hyperandrogenemia and elevated LH:FSH ratio [5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…The clinical and biochemical features of FOH can arise as a consequence of hyper secretion of androgen by the ovary. FOH can result either from luteinizing hormone (LH) excess or from abnormal modulation of ovarian androgen responsiveness to LH [4]. Chronic LH stimulation in FOH induces sustained hyper secretion of androgens by the theca compartment, probably augmented by insulin and insulin like growth factor [5].…”

“…Of the androgens, free rather than total testosterone has better positive correlations with elevated LH:FSH ratio and OS, and hence, the former is a better predictive marker for the development of biochemical PCOS in women with FOH. Tri-iodo thyronine T 4 Tetra-iodo thyronine TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone TT Total testosterone T2DM Type 2 diabetes mellitus…”

Predictors of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Complications in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome in an Eastern Indian Population

“…by hyperandrogenism with an increase in testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in up to 75 % patients [3]. Neuroendocrine dysfunction with exaggerated LH pulsatility and altered production of adrenal androgen are also reported [4].…”