Presentations of Hyperandrogenic Phenotypes in Taiwanese Women

STUDY QUESTION: Which of the four abnormally elevated androgen groups (total testosterone \[TT\], androstenedione \[A4\], free androgen index \[FAI\], or dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate \[DHEA-S\]) present with an unfavorable metabolic and hormonal profile, appear to be more insulin-resistant and pose additional cardiovascular risk? SUMMARY ANSWER: Subjects with excess free androgen index tend to be obese and face the highest metabolic syndrome risk, adipocytokine alterations, insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular risk. The excess TT group presents with a marginal IR risk, while the excess A4 group has the highest antimüllerian hormone (AMH), and may counterbalance obesity; this group and the excess DHEA-S group have a favorable association with IR.