PCOS Metabolic Panel | Hormone & Metabolic Screening for PCOS | Epicentre
Women's health · PCOS

Map the hormones and metabolism behind a PCOS picture

A 17-marker screen that brings together the hormones and metabolic markers behind PCOS: androgens, insulin, thyroid, inflammation and the nutrients that often run low. From one morning, fasted blood draw.

No doctor's referral 17 markers Fasting required Results in 2 to 5 days
Comprehensive panel · 17 markers
R4,890
A full hormone and metabolic screen for PCOS. Best as a morning, fasted appointment. Results in 2 to 5 working days.
17markers
Fastingrequired
2 to 5day results
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No referral. Best as a morning, fasted appointment.

Medically reviewed by Dr Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA), Medical Director. Reviewed 2 June 2026.
Quick and flexible

How would you like to get tested?

Walk in

No appointment needed. Come through any branch, Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:00.

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Not sure which tests you need? Message us on WhatsApp and we will help you decide.

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25 yrs
Open since 2001
100k+
Tests done
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Accredited labs
What's tested

What does the panel measure?

The hormone and metabolic markers behind PCOS, grouped so you can see the whole picture. All from one morning, fasted blood draw.

Why a morning, fasted sample: this panel includes fasting insulin and cortisol, which are read against a morning, fasted baseline. Come first thing after an overnight fast; water is fine. If you are still cycling, an early-cycle day also helps the reproductive hormones; if your cycles are irregular, we can advise on timing.

Reproductive and androgen hormones

Free Testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH, Oestradiol. The hormone pattern central to PCOS: androgens, the binding protein that controls how much is active, and the pituitary and ovarian hormones.

Adrenal hormones

DHEAS, Cortisol. The adrenal androgen DHEAS and cortisol, which can both feed into the PCOS picture.

Metabolism, thyroid and inflammation

Fasting Insulin, CRP, TSH. Fasting insulin for insulin resistance, CRP for low-grade inflammation, and TSH to check the thyroid, since thyroid issues can mimic or worsen PCOS symptoms.

Nutrients

Iron Profile, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Calcium. Nutrients that often run low and influence energy, mood and metabolism.

B-vitamins and methylation

Vitamin B12, Folate, Homocysteine. B-vitamin status with homocysteine, which reflects how well the body is methylating.

How it works

Three steps, no GP needed

1

Book a morning slot

Reserve a morning time at your branch, or walk in. No doctor's referral. Come fasted.

2

Quick blood draw

A nurse takes a small blood sample, just a few minutes.

3

Results in 2 to 5 days

A colour-coded report by marker, with a free certificate you can share with your doctor.

When this helps

Who is this for?

Most useful if you have signs of PCOS, or a suspected diagnosis you want to map with your doctor.

Irregular or absent periods

Cycles that are unpredictable, infrequent or have stopped.

Signs of high androgens

Acne, excess hair growth or hair thinning you want to understand.

Weight or metabolic concerns

Weight gain around the middle, sugar cravings or suspected insulin resistance.

Trying to conceive

Irregular cycles or fertility concerns linked to a possible PCOS picture.

Mapping a suspected diagnosis

You and your doctor want the hormone and metabolic picture in one go.

Tracking over time

A baseline before or during a management plan with your doctor.

From our patients

What people say

★★★★★ 4.7 / 5 based on verified Google reviews
★★★★★

Friendly and competent staff. Both at reception and the nurse. A much simpler process than going through doctors. Thank you ladies.

A
Agata G.
Parktown North · 3 months ago
★★★★★

The staff at reception as well as the nurses are friendly and professional. I've also always received results timeously. I would give 10 stars if I could.

A
Abedah M.
Parktown North · Local Guide · 3 weeks ago
★★★★★

Highly highly highly recommend. The experience was painless and the practice was inviting and well kept. The report was extremely detailed and informative and I would have this as top of my list for preventive care.

N
Nadia P.
Observatory · 8 months ago
★★★★★

Amazing experience, highly professional staff. Very reasonable prices. Highly recommend.

C
Caitlin C.
Observatory · 1 year ago
★★★★★

I cannot recommend Juliette and her team enough, friendly and kind from the get go. Bloods were drawn with minimal discomfort and the labs came back quickly.

L
Laura S.
Hillcrest · 1 month ago
★★★★★

Excellent experience at Epicentre. The staff were professional, kind, and took time to explain everything clearly. The facility was clean, booking was easy, and I did not feel rushed.

A
Aaron R.
Hillcrest · 1 month ago

What this does not do

This panel brings together the markers behind PCOS to support a conversation with your doctor. It is one input, not a diagnosis on its own.

  • PCOS is diagnosed by a doctor using your symptoms, examination, hormones and often an ultrasound; this panel is part of that picture.
  • Hormones vary across the cycle and from day to day, so a single sample is a snapshot.
  • Insulin and cortisol depend on fasting and timing, so follow the prep for reliable results.
  • Results are meant to inform a discussion with a registered practitioner.
Common questions

Quick answers

Iron Profile, Cortisol, Calcium, Vitamin D, Fasting Insulin, CRP, TSH, Homocysteine, Vitamin B12, Folate, Free Testosterone, Magnesium, DHEAS, LH, FSH, Oestradiol and SHBG. The panel is R4,890, with results in 2 to 5 working days.
Yes. This panel requires an overnight fast, and a morning sample is best because it includes fasting insulin and cortisol. Water is fine, and keep to your usual medicines unless your doctor advises otherwise.
If you still have regular periods, an early-cycle sample (around days 2 to 5) gives the clearest read of the reproductive hormones. If your cycles are irregular or absent, ask us and we will advise on timing.
No. Book or walk in to any branch in Cape Town, Durban or Johannesburg without a doctor's referral.
Typically within 2 to 5 working days, with a free results certificate you can share with your doctor.
At our three walk-in labs: Observatory in Cape Town, Hillcrest in Durban and Parktown North in Johannesburg, Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:00.
Where to test

Three walk-in labs

Related packages

Round out the picture

Medically reviewed by Dr Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA), Medical Director at Epicentre Walk-In Labs. Reviewed 2 June 2026. Epicentre Aids Risk Management (Pty) Ltd provides diagnostic laboratory testing and does not provide diagnoses, treatment or prescriptions to the public; results are intended to inform discussions with a registered healthcare practitioner.

Map the hormones and metabolism behind PCOS

No doctor's referral, results in 2 to 5 working days. Book a morning, fasted slot, or message us if you are not sure where to start.