The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test measures the level of FSH in blood. FSH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland, located on the underside of the brain.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone Test and Abnormal Ranges Meaning
How the Test is Performed?
A blood sample is required.
The quantities of FSH and other hormonal agents (luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) are measured in both a man and a female to figure out why the couple can’t become pregnant (infertility). The FSH level can help identify whether male or female sex organs (testicles or ovaries) are working effectively.
How to Prepare for the Test?
If you are a female of childbearing age, your health care company may desire you to have actually the test done on particular days of your menstruation.
How the Test will Feel?
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some individuals feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there might be some throbbing or a small contusion. This quickly goes away.
Why the Test is Performed?
In women,
FSH helps handle the menstrual cycle and stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. The test is used to help identify or examine:
- Menopause
- Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian cysts
- Irregular vaginal or menstrual bleeding
- Problems becoming pregnant, or infertility
In men,
FSH stimulates production of sperm. The test is used to help detect or evaluate:
- Problems becoming pregnant, or infertility
- Men who do not have testicles or whose testicles are underdeveloped
In children,
FSH is included with the development of sexual functions. The test is got for children:
- Who develop sexual features at a really young age
- Who are postponed in starting adolescence
Normal Ranges of FSH
Normal FSH levels will vary, depending upon a person’s age and gender.
Male:
- Before puberty: 0 to 5.0 mIU/ml
- During adolescence: 0.3 to 10.0 mIU/ml
- Adult: 1.5 to 12.4 mIU/ml
Female:
- Before adolescence: 0 to 4.0 mIU/ml
- During adolescence: 0.3 to 10.0 mIU/ml
- Women who are still menstruating: 4.7 to 21.5 mIU/ml
- After menopause: 25.8 to 134.8 mIU/ml
Normal worth ranges may differ somewhat amongst various laboratories. Some labs use various measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test outcome.
What Abnormal Results Mean
High FSH levels in women may be present:
- During or after menopause, consisting of premature menopause
- When getting hormone therapy
- Due to specific types of tumor in the pituitary gland
- Due to Turner syndrome
Low FSH levels in women may be present due to:
- Being extremely underweight or having had current fast weight-loss
- Not producing eggs (not ovulating).
- Parts of the brain (the pituitary gland or hypothalamus) not producing normal amounts of some or all its hormones.
- Pregnancy.
High FSH levels in men might imply the testicles are not functioning correctly due to:
- Advancing age (male menopause).
- Damage to testicles caused by alcoholic abuse, chemotherapy, or radiation.
- Problems with genes, such as Klinefelter syndrome.
- Treatment with hormones.
- Certain tumors in the pituitary gland.
Low FSH levels in men may indicate parts of the brain (the pituitary gland or hypothalamus) do not produce normal quantities of some or all of its hormonal agents.
High FSH levels in boys or women might suggest that adolescence is about to begin.
Risks
Veins and arteries differ in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Getting a blood sample from some people might be more difficult than from others.
Other threats associated with having blood drawn are small, but may include:
- Excessive bleeding.
- Passing out or feeling lightheaded.
- Hematoma (blood building up under the skin).
- Infection (a small risk any time the skin is broken).
