Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test

Follicle stimulating hormone

 

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.

How the Test is Performed

 

A blood sample is needed .

 

How to Prepare for the Test

 

If you are a woman of childbearing age, your health care provider may want you to have the test done on certain days of your menstrual cycle.

 

How the Test will Feel

 

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

 

Why the Test is Performed

 

In women, FSH helps manage the menstrual cycle and stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs. The test is used to help diagnose or evaluate:

  • Menopause
  • Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome , ovarian cysts
  • Abnormal vaginal or menstrual bleeding
  • Problems becoming pregnant, or infertility

In men, FSH stimulates production of sperm. The test is used to help diagnose or evaluate:

  • Problems becoming pregnant, or infertility
  • Men who do not have testicles or whose testicles are underdeveloped

In children, FSH is involved with the development of sexual features. The test is ordered for children:

  • Who develop sexual features at a very young age
  • Who are delayed in starting puberty

 

Normal Results

 

Normal FSH levels will differ, depending on a person's age and gender.

Male:

  • Before puberty: 0 to 5.0 mIU/ml
  • During puberty: 0.3 to 10.0 mIU/ml
  • Adult: 1.5 to 12.4 mIU/ml

Female:

  • Before puberty: 0 to 4.0 mIU/ml
  • During puberty: 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 value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test result.

 

What Abnormal Results Mean

 

High FSH levels in women may be present:

  • During or after menopause, including premature menopause
  • When receiving hormone therapy
  • Due to certain types of tumor in the pituitary gland
  • Due to Turner syndrome

Low FSH levels in women may be present due to:

  • Being very underweight or having had recent rapid weight loss
  • Not producing eggs (not ovulating)
  • Parts of the brain (the pituitary gland or hypothalamus ) not producing normal amounts of some or all of its hormones
  • Pregnancy

High FSH levels in men may mean the testicles are not functioning correctly due to:

  • Advancing age (male menopause)
  • Damage to testicles caused by alcohol 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 mean parts of the brain (the pituitary gland or hypothalamus) do not produce normal amounts of some or all of its hormones.

High FSH levels in boys or girls may mean that puberty is about to start.

 

Risks

 

Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)

 

 

References

Borawski D, Bluth MH. Reproductive function and pregnancy. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 25.

Carmina E, Stanczyk FZ, Lobo RA. Laboratory assessment. In: Strauss JF, Barbieri RL, eds. Yen and Jaffe's Reproductive Endocrinology . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 34.

Gruber HA, Farag AF. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 24.

 

        A Closer Look

         

        Talking to your MD

         

          Self Care

           

            Tests for Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) blood test

             

             

            Review Date: 9/26/2015

            Reviewed By: Daniel N. Sacks MD, FACOG, obstetrics & gynecology in private practice, West Palm Beach, FL. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

            The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

             
             
             

             

             

            A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



            Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.