From the Research
On the 2nd day of the menstrual cycle, a PCOS patient typically shows elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) levels relative to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), often with an LH:FSH ratio greater than 2:1 or 3:1, compared to the normal ratio of about 1:1, as supported by the most recent study 1. The hormonal profile of a PCOS patient on the 2nd day of their menstrual cycle is characterized by:
- Elevated LH levels, often in the range of 10-20 IU/L
- Low or low-normal FSH levels, typically between 1-5 IU/L
- Elevated testosterone and androstenedione levels, with testosterone ranging from 50-150 ng/dL
- Normal or slightly elevated estradiol levels, typically between 40-60 pg/mL
- Decreased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels, leading to increased free testosterone
- Elevated insulin levels due to insulin resistance, which is common in PCOS
- Elevated anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, often greater than 5 ng/mL, reflecting the increased number of small antral follicles These hormonal imbalances contribute to the characteristic symptoms of PCOS, including irregular menstruation, anovulation, hirsutism, and polycystic ovaries, as discussed in 2, 3, 4, 5. The elevated androgens and insulin resistance create a feedback loop that further disrupts normal ovarian function and hormone production, as noted in 1. It is essential to consider the most recent and highest-quality study, 1, when evaluating the hormonal profile of a PCOS patient on the 2nd day of their menstrual cycle.