Notes on Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism

- Hyperandrogenism is most often diagnosed by checking for signs of hirsutism according to a standard method that scores the range of excess hair growth. (1)(2)

- Checking medical history and a physical examination of symptoms are used for an initial diagnosis. (2)

- Patient history assessed includes age at thelarche, andrenarche, and menarche; patterns of menstruation; obesity; reproductive history; and the start and advancement of and hyperandrogenism symptoms.(2)

- Family history is also assessed for appearances of hyperandrogenism symptoms or obesity.(2)

- Patterns of menstruation are examined since irregular patterns may appear with hirsutism. (1)

- Female patients may show symptoms of hyperandrogenism in their early life, but physicians become attentive to the symptoms when the patient is in her late teens or older.(2)

- A laboratory test can also be done on the patient to evaluate levels of FSH, LH, DHEAS, prolactin, 17-OHP, and total and free testosterone in the patient's blood. (2)

- Abnormally high levels of any of these hormones help in diagnosing hyperandrogenism.(2)

Female patients may show symptoms of hyperandrogenism in their early life, but physicians become more concerned when the patient is in her late teens or older.(2)

Hyperandrogenism is most often diagnosed by checking for signs of hirsutism according to a standardized method that scores the range of excess hair growth. (1)(2)

Checking medical history and a physical examination of symptoms are used for an initial diagnosis.(2) Patient history assessed includes age at thelarche, adrenarche, and menarche; patterns of menstruation; obesity; reproductive history; and the start and advancement of hyperandrogenism symptoms.(2) Patterns of menstruation are examined since irregular patterns may appear with hirsutism.(1) Family history is also assessed for occurrences of hyperandrogenism symptoms or obesity in other family members.(2)

A laboratory test can also be done on the patient to evaluate levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, DHEAS, prolactin, 17OHP, and total and free testosterone in the patient's blood.(2) Abnormally high levels of any of these hormones help in diagnosing hyperandrogenism.(2)

Citation

Goodman, Neil (March 2001). American association of clinical endocrinologists medical guidelines for clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperandrogenic disorders. p. 121.

[1]

[2]

  1. ^ Goodman, N. F.; Bledsoe, M. B.; Cobin, R. H.; Futterweit, W.; Goldzieher, J. W.; Petak, S. M.; Smith, K. D.; Steinberger, E.; American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Hyperandrogenic Disorders Task Force (2016-11-15). "American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for the clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperandrogenic disorders". Endocrine Practice: Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. 7 (2): 120–134. ISSN 1530-891X. PMID 12940239.
  2. ^ Goodman, N. F.; Bledsoe, M. B.; Cobin, R. H.; Futterweit, W.; Goldzieher, J. W.; Petak, S. M.; Smith, K. D.; Steinberger, E. (15 November 2016). "American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists medical guidelines for the clinical practice for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperandrogenic disorders". Endocrine Practice: Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. pp. 120–134.