FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) Test

What is the FSH test??

A follicle stimulating hormone is a hormone associated with reproductive functions such as the development of eggs in women and sperm in men. An FSH test is done for various problems, such as difficulty getting pregnant, menstrual irregularities, low sex drive, and early or delayed puberty.

 

Low levels of FSH might indicate decreased ovulation in women, reduced sperm count in men, or problems at the level of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Increased levels of FSH, on the other hand, can be indicative of loss of ovarian function and menopause. A FSH works closely with another hormone called luteinizing hormone(LH) to control sexual functions. Hence, the test is frequently recommended along with the LH test.   

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What are the other names for the FSH test? 

The other names are: follitropin test, FSH test.

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What are the test parameters included in the FSH test?

There is only one parameter.

 

What does the FSH test measure?

Follicle stimulating hormone(FSH) test measures hormones in the blood. FSH is produced in the pituitary gland, and its production is controlled by a feedback system involving the hypothalamus in the brain, the pituitary gland, and the hormones manufactured by the ovaries or testicles. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH (luteinizing hormone is another closely related hormone also involved in reproduction). Follicle stimulation affects the growth and maturation of egg follicles in the ovaries during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle has been divided into follicular and luteal phases, each phase lasting for 14 days. It is during the follicular phase that FSH initiates the production of estradiol by the follicle, and the two hormones work together in the further development of the egg follicle. Near the end of the follicular phase, the production of FSH and luteinising hormone increases. It releases the egg from the ovary (ovulation) occurs shortly after this increased production of hormones. Hormones like inhibin as well as estradiol and progesterone help to control the amount of FSH released by the pituitary glands. Follicular stimulating hormone also facilitates the ability of the ovary to respond to LH. During menopause, ovarian function decreases and eventually ceases, which results in increased levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and LH.

 

In males, the role of FSH is to stimulate the testicles to produce mature sperm and also promote the production of androgen-binding proteins. Follicle stimulating hormone levels are relatively constant in men after puberty than in women.

 

In infants and children, FSH levels will increase shortly after birth and then fall to too low levels by 6 months in boys and 1-2 years in girls. Concentration begins to increase again before the beginning of puberty and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

 

Disorders affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovaries or testicles can cause the production of high or low FSH, resulting in a variety of conditions such as infertility, missed menstrual cycles, or early (precocious) or delayed sexual maturation.

 

What’s the normal range?

Who should get a FSH test?

For a woman, a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test might be ordered when she is facing difficulty in getting pregnant, has irregular or an absence of menstrual periods, or sometimes when they have suspected that she has entered menopause.

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For a man, the test might be ordered when his partner cannot get pregnant, when he has a low sperm count, or when he has muscle mass, decreased or low sex drive.

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Testing can be ordered when a healthcare provider suspects that a pituitary disorder is present in both women and men. A pituitary disorder may affect the production of several different hormones, so there might be other signs and symptoms in addition to some of those listed above. They may include fatigue, weakness, unexplained weight loss, and decreased appetite, to name a few.

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In children, FSH and LH can be ordered when a boy or girl does not appear to be entering puberty at an appropriate age (either too late or too soon). Signs of puberty might include:

• Breast enlargement in girls

• Growth of public hair

• Growth of testicles and penis in boys

• beginning of menstruation in girls.

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Is there any preparation needed for the FSH test?

No special preparation is required. Fasting is not required for this test.

What is the cost of a FSH test?

What is the type of sample required? 

This test requires a blood sample.

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Who will perform the FSH test?

A healthcare provider, who is also called a phlebotomist, usually performs blood draws, including those for FSH tests, but any healthcare provider trained in drawing blood can perform this task. Samples are sent to a lab where a medical laboratory scientist prepares the samples and measures the tests on analysers or manually.

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What should I expect during my FSH test?

You can expect to experience the following during the blood test or a blood draw:

• You sit comfortably on the chair, and a healthcare provider will check your arms for an easily accessible vein. It is an inner part of your arm on the other side of your elbow.

• Once the phlebotomist has located a vein, they disinfect the area with an alcohol swab.

• They will prick a needle into your vein to draw a blood sample. They may feel like a small pinch.

• After the needle is inserted, the required amount of blood is drawn into a test tube.

• When they draw enough blood for the test, they will remove the needle and hold a cotton ball or gauze on the pricked site to stop any bleeding.

• They apply a band-aid over the pricked site, and the blood collection is finished.

This process takes less than five minutes. 

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What should I expect after my FSH test?

Once the phlebotomist collects the blood sample, it will be sent to the laboratory for processing. When the reports are ready, your healthcare provider will share the results with you.

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What is the risk of the FSH test?

Blood tests are very common, and they don’t carry any significant risks. You may have a slight pain like an ant bite when the needle gets inserted, and a small bruise might develop there.

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When can I expect my FSH test results?

This report is available via email or WhatsApp within 6 hours after the collection of the blood sample.

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What do the results of the FSH test mean?

Interpreting test results

Results of a FSH test are typically considered with the results of other hormone tests, such as LH, estrogens, and testosterone.

 

As a part of infertility therapy, a high or low FSH is not diagnostic but provides information on what might be causing it. For example, a hormone imbalance can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle and ovulation. A health care provider will consider all the information from the workup to establish a diagnosis.

 

In Women

A FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels might help to differentiate between conditions affecting the ovaries themselves (primary) and dysfunction of the ovaries due to disorders of either the pituitary or the hypothalamus.

 

High values of FSH and LH are consistent with conditions that are affecting the ovaries themselves. Some examples include:

 

Developmental defects:

• Failure to develop ovaries (ovarian agenesis)

• Chromosome disorders, such as Turner syndrome  

• A defect in steroid production by the ovaries, such as 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency   

 

Damage to the ovaries due to:

• Radiation exposure

• Chemotherapy

• Autoimmune disease

 

There are underlying conditions that affect ovary function, such as:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• Adrenal disease

• Thyroid disease

• Ovarian tumour

 

When a woman enters the menopause cycle and her ovaries stop working, FSH levels will rise. Low levels of FSH and LH are consistent with pituitary disorders or problems with the hypothalamus.

 

Low FSH serum values have been associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

 

In Men

Increased FSH levels are due to conditions affecting the testicles themselves.

 

 Some examples include:

• Viral infection (Mumps)

• Trauma, injury

• Radiation exposure

• Chemotherapy

• Autoimmune disease

• Germ cell tumours

• Failure to develop normal gonads (gonadal agenesis)

• Chromosome disorders, such as Klinefelter syndrome

 

Low values are consistent with pituitary or hypothalamic disorders.

 

Increased levels of FSH and LH than expected for age, plus the development of secondary sexual characteristics at an unusually young age, is an indication of an early stage of puberty. It's more common in girls than in boys. It is premature development is usually due to a problem with the central nervous system and can have a few different underlying causes. Examples include:

 

• Central nervous system tumours

• Brain injury, trauma

• Inflammation within the central nervous system (e.g. meningitis, encephalitis)

 

Normal prepubescent levels of FSH and LH in children exhibiting some signs of puberty might indicate a condition called “peripheral precocious puberty.” Signs and symptoms are brought on by elevated levels of the hormone estrogen or testosterone. This might be caused by:

• Tumours that produce and release hormones

• Adrenal gland tumours

• Ovarian tumours or cysts

• Testicular tumours

 

Normal FSH and LH levels with a few signs of puberty (e.g., development of pubic hair and acne) can signal a previous environmental exposure to agents such as testosterone cream or gel or might be a normal variation of puberty.

 

In delayed puberty, FSH and LH levels may be normal or below what is expected for a youth within this age range. Examples of some causes of delayed in puberty include:

 

• Dysfunction of the ovaries or testicles

• Hormone deficiency 

• Turner syndrome

• Klinefelter syndrome

• Chronic infections

• Cancer

• Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa)

    

What are normal FSH test results?

Normal ranges might vary slightly among different laboratories. Some of the labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Speak to the doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

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What other tests might I have along with this test?

LH, Prolactin

 

How do I book a FSH test at home?

Log on to www.orangehealth.in and submit your details. Our highly trained, professional, and vaccinated eMedics will be at your doorstep within 60 minutes or at the time booked by you.