Publication
Title
Free testosterone reflects metabolic as well as ovarian disturbances in subfertile oligomenorrheic women
Author
Abstract
Background. Diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is based on ovulatory dysfunction, ovarian ultrasound data, and androgen excess. Total testosterone is frequently used to identify androgen excess, but testosterone is mainly bound to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and albumin. Only 1-2% of nonprotein-bound testosterone (so-called free testosterone) is biologically active and responsible for androgen action. Moreover, automated immunoassays which are frequently used for female testosterone measurements are inaccurate. Objective. To assess the clinical usefulness of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry measured testosterone and calculated free testosterone in subfertile women attending a fertility clinic with oligomenorrhea and suspected PCOS. Methods. Hormonal and metabolic parameters were evaluated, and ovarian ultrasound was performed. Total testosterone was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Free testosterone was calculated from total testosterone and SHBG. Results. Sixty-six women were included in the study. Total testosterone was associated with ovarian volume and antral follicle count but not with metabolic parameters. However, SHBG and calculated free testosterone were associated with both ovarian ultrasound and metabolic parameters, such as BMI and insulin resistance. Conclusions. Assessing SHBG and free testosterone is important in evaluating androgen excess in subfertile women with ovulatory dysfunction and suspected PCOS, as it reflects both ovarian and metabolic disturbances.
Language
English
Source (journal)
International Journal of Endocrinology
Publication
2018
ISSN
1687-8337
1687-8345
DOI
10.1155/2018/7956951
Volume/pages
(2018) , 8 p.
Article Reference
7956951
ISI
000445548900001
Pubmed ID
30275830
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 08.10.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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