What does an abnormal test value mean?
Virtually all patients with PCOS will have at least some subtle laboratory abnormalities. The reported results may be on the upper limits of the normal range, showing only a tendency instead of a discrete abnormality. The marginally elevated test is almost always dysfunctional, rather than pathologic. Often a pattern will emerge after considering a group of tests together, rather than a single test value alone. Subtle abnormalities may point toward dysfunction in the control mechanisms of the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary and adrenal (HPOA) axis. Different from PCOS, serious pathology is more likely seen as a marked elevation, or suppression, of a single test. Any level that is twice the upper, or lower, normal limits is particularly important and may indicate a serious problem. As a general rule, if the test result is not in keeping with clinical findings and patient history, it may be wrong. This may be due to lab error, improperly timed specimen collection, or unexplainable chance
Nearly all patients with PCOS will have at least some subtle laboratory abnormalities, though the levels may not be outside normal limits. Lab values that are at the upper or lower end of the normal range may show a tendency toward a problem rather than a discrete abnormality. It may be a pattern within the group of tests that points to PCOS, rather than one or more values outside the normal limits. Usually a hormone level that is marginally elevated is associated with a dysfunction, while a severe elevation or suppression may be more likely to be pathologic (a physical cause, such as an adrenal tumor). It is important to note that many lab reference ranges were probably set irrespective of PCOS, and often are set based on screening for a certain abnormality. For example, the range of normal on a fasting insulin test may be set to screen for an insulinoma (an insulin-producing tumor in the pancreas), rather than to check for insulin resistance.
