PCOS Blood Test
A comprehensive 14-marker blood test for women investigating irregular periods, suspected PCOS, or features such as acne, hirsutism (unwanted facial or body hair) and thinning scalp hair. Covers reproductive hormones, androgen balance, thyroid, ovarian reserve and insulin resistance - the picture needed to assess polycystic ovary syndrome and related conditions.
By Dr Maryam Attarzadeh, GMC-registered doctor and Medical Director, KONCEPT® Medical Clinic. Last reviewed May 2026. Next review November 2026.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. It is a syndrome, not a single test result - which means diagnosis combines blood test patterns with symptoms, cycle history, examination findings and sometimes a pelvic ultrasound. This panel covers the 14 hormonal and metabolic markers that current UK and international guidance use to assess and rule out PCOS, sit alongside the closely related conditions, and personalise treatment.
If you only need a single reproductive hormone (e.g. AMH) or only a metabolic screen, the doctor can recommend a lighter panel. If you are looking at fertility planning specifically, the Women's Amenorrhoea & Fertility Blood Test is the natural sibling test.
Pituitary and ovarian hormone signalling. In PCOS the LH/FSH ratio is often raised. Oestradiol provides cycle context. Prolactin rules out a prolactin-driven cause of irregular cycles or anovulation.
The androgen axis - elevated free testosterone, raised Free Androgen Index or raised DHEA-S explains symptoms like acne, hirsutism and scalp hair thinning. SHBG (sex-hormone binding globulin) is often suppressed in PCOS, which amplifies the effect of even mildly raised testosterone.
Thyroid dysfunction is a common, easily-reversible mimic of PCOS-type symptoms (irregular cycles, hair thinning, weight change). Always screened so the doctor can rule it in or out before settling on PCOS as the explanation.
Non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH) presents very similarly to PCOS in adult women but is a distinct adrenal condition requiring different management. 17-hydroxyprogesterone is the screening marker that flags it. Routinely included in best-practice PCOS workups.
AMH is often elevated in PCOS, reflecting the larger pool of small follicles characteristic of polycystic ovaries. AMH is increasingly used as part of the PCOS diagnostic picture in modern guidance, alongside its established role in fertility planning.
Insulin resistance is central to PCOS - it drives many of the hormonal and reproductive features and is the metabolic foundation that lifestyle and medical treatment target. The pathology laboratory automatically calculates HOMA-IR from fasting glucose and insulin, which gives a sensitive early read on insulin resistance well before HbA1c moves into the prediabetic range.
Online, in person at the clinic, or added during a GP consultation. Each request is reviewed by one of our GMC-registered doctors for clinical appropriateness.
An experienced practitioner takes your samples in-clinic. Ideally on day 2 to 5 of your menstrual cycle (the doctor will guide you if your cycles are very irregular). Fasting for 8 to 12 hours is required because the panel includes fasting glucose and insulin.
Your samples are processed by an accredited UK pathology laboratory. HOMA-IR is calculated automatically from fasting glucose and insulin.
Most results within 2 to 5 working days. A short outcome note from the doctor with your next-step plan is sent to your email, password-protected. If a specific test takes longer you will be informed in advance.
Already had a Wellwomen Check (£399 personalised GP consultation)? If the GP identified a clinical need for blood work during your consultation, you qualify for 10% off this panel. Mention your Wellwomen booking reference at checkout.
Patients on the PCOS pathway frequently combine this panel with a deeper fertility, dermatology or metabolic workup. The doctor can recommend the most useful next step at booking.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition affecting up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK. It typically combines two or more of: irregular or absent periods, higher-than-typical androgen (male hormone) levels causing symptoms such as acne or unwanted hair growth, and polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound. PCOS is strongly linked to insulin resistance, which is why this blood test includes both hormonal and metabolic markers.
PCOS is a syndrome, not a single test. UK and international guidance (RCOG, AE-PCOS Society, ESHRE) requires assessing reproductive hormones, androgen balance, thyroid function, adrenal contribution and metabolic health together to make or rule out the diagnosis. A single hormone in isolation cannot diagnose PCOS - the picture is built from the pattern across all 14 markers.
Most results are returned within 2 to 5 working days. If a specific test takes longer, you will be informed in advance.
No. You can book online, in person at the clinic, or add the PCOS panel during a GP consultation at KONCEPT®. The doctor reviews each request for clinical appropriateness before the blood draw.
Ideally on day 2 to 5 of your menstrual cycle, as this is when FSH, LH and oestradiol are most informative. If your periods are very irregular or absent, the doctor will guide you on the best timing at booking. AMH is stable across the cycle and does not require a specific day.
Fast for 8 to 12 hours before the appointment (water only) because the panel includes fasting glucose and fasting insulin. Stay well hydrated. If you take biotin supplements, stop 48 to 72 hours before the test as biotin interferes with several lab assays. Mention any hormonal contraception, fertility medication or PCOS treatment you are on so the doctor can interpret your results correctly.
All tests are reviewed before and after the test by one of our GMC-registered doctors. A short outcome note with a next-step plan is sent to your email, password-protected. If results are normal, no further action is needed. If anything requires attention, the doctor will recommend a follow-up GP consultation - either with your NHS GP or with one of our GPs at KONCEPT® (a £149 consultation fee applies if you choose KONCEPT®).
A one-off booking fee per booking, regardless of how many tests are in the basket. The all-in PCOS panel price of £338 already includes it.
Not on its own. PCOS diagnosis requires combining blood test results with your symptoms, menstrual history, examination findings, and sometimes a pelvic ultrasound. This panel provides the hormonal and metabolic picture; the diagnosis is made by the doctor putting that picture together with the rest of your clinical context.
Only with your written consent. We can send a clinical summary to your NHS GP for coordinated long-term care, including any further fertility or endocrinology referrals.
46 to 48 Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1UW. KONCEPT® Medical Clinic is located opposite Kingston station. Parking nearby at the Bentall Centre.
All in £338. Same-day, evening and Saturday appointments available. No GP referral needed. Doctor-reviewed result, sent securely to your email.
Serving Kingston upon Thames and the surrounding KT, SW and TW catchment - Surbiton, Wimbledon, Richmond, Putney, Teddington, New Malden, Esher, Thames Ditton, Walton-on-Thames, Twickenham, Hampton, Raynes Park and Wandsworth.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Results require interpretation by a qualified clinician. PCOS diagnosis is clinical and requires consideration of symptoms, examination findings and sometimes ultrasound alongside blood test results.