Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
A protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. FSH causes growth of follicles in the ovaries and sperm maturation in Sertoli cells of testes.
Evaluation of FSH supports other studies related to determining causes of hypothyroidism in women and endocrine dysfunction in men. In primary ovarian failure or testicular failure, FSH levels are increased.
Why is it done?
o To help in finding the cause of infertility
o Menstrual problem evaluation
o To help diagnosing pituitary gland disorder
o To determine if the child is going through an early or a delayed puberty
Precautions
o Recently administered radioisotopes may interfere with the results
o Hemolysis of blood sample is not acceptable
o Estrogen or oral contraceptives should not be taken before the test
o Several drugs affect the outcome
o Sometimes multiple blood specimens are necessary because of episodic releases of FSH from the pituitary gland. An isolated sample may not indicate the actual activity; therefore, pooled blood specimens or multiple single blood specimens may be required.
Normal Values
Male 1.24 – 7.8 mlU/L
Female
Postmenopausal 14.2 – 52.3 mlU/L
Luteal 0.61 – 16.3 mlU/L
Follicular 1.68 – 15 mlU/L
Ovulatory Peak 21.9 – 15 mlU/L
Clinical Significance
Decreased FSH level
o Anorexia
o Hemochromatosis
o Polycystic ovarian disease
o Neoplasm of testes or adrenal glands
o Sheehan’s syndrome
Increased FSH level
o Turner’s syndrome
o Alcoholism
o Menopause or menstrual disorder
o Castration
o Klinefelter’s syndrome
o Precocious puberty
o Hypopituitarism
References
- Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods,21st edition; edited by Richard A. McPherson and Matthew R. Pincus
- Clinical Chemistry: Principles, Procedures, Correlations, 5th edition
- Text Book of Medical Physiology, 11th edition; Guyton & Hall
