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Biomarkers

Polycystic ovary syndrome: steroid assessment for diagnosis

Nature Reviews Endocrinology volume 6, pages 305–307 (2010)Cite this article

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Hyperandrogenism is the key pathologic feature of polycystic ovary syndrome, but diagnostic assessment of androgen excess in women is problematic, and the biochemical assays in routine clinical practice are largely considered uninformative. Is it time to add new diagnostic modalities to the clinical toolbox and perhaps measure levels of estrogen instead?

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Figure 1: Pathways of steroid hormone metabolism.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Robinson Institute and Research Center for Reproductive Health, The University of Adelaide, Discipline of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 6th Floor Medical School North, Frome Road, Adelaide, 5005, SA, Australia

    Theresa E. Hickey & Robert J. Norman

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  1. Theresa E. Hickey
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  2. Robert J. Norman
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Correspondence to Theresa E. Hickey.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Hickey, T., Norman, R. Polycystic ovary syndrome: steroid assessment for diagnosis. Nat Rev Endocrinol 6, 305–307 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2010.68

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