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From WebMD Women's Health
Sandy Jocoy, RN
August 10, 2009
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
A follicle-stimulating hormone test measures the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a blood sample. FSH is produced by the pituitary gland.
In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. The amount of FSH varies throughout a woman's menstrual cycle and is highest just before she releases an egg (ovulates).
In men, FSH helps control the production of sperm. The amount of FSH in men normally remains constant.
The amounts of FSH and other hormones (luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone) are measured in both a man and a woman to determine why the couple cannot become pregnant (infertility). The FSH level can help determine whether male or female sex organs (testicles or ovaries) are functioning properly.
Why It Is Done
A follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test may be done to:
- Help find the cause of infertility. FSH testing is commonly used to help evaluate a:
- Woman's egg supply (ovarian reserve).
- Man's low sperm count.
- Help evaluate menstrual problems, such as irregular or absent menstrual periods (amenorrhea). This can help determine whether the woman has gone through menopause.
- Determine if a child is going through early puberty (also called precocious puberty). Puberty is early when it starts in girls younger than age 9 and in boys younger than age 10.
- Determine why sexual features or organs are not developing when they should (delayed puberty).
- Help diagnose certain pituitary gland disorders, such as a tumor.
Results
A follicle-stimulating hormone test measures the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a blood sample. The test results depend on your age and stage of sexual development.
The phase of a woman's menstrual cycle can affect results, so it is important to know the first day of your last menstrual period at the time the test is performed.
High values
High FSH values in a woman may mean:
- Loss of ovarian function before age 40 (ovarian failure).
- Menopause has occurred.
High FSH values in a man may mean:
- Klinefelter syndrome.
- Testicles are absent or not functioning properly.
- Testicles have been damaged by a disease, such as alcohol dependence, or by treatments, such as X-rays or chemotherapy.
- High values in children may mean that puberty is about to start.
Low values
Low FSH values may mean:
- A woman is not producing eggs (prevents ovulation) or a man is not producing sperm.
- An area of the brain (the hypothalamus or pituitary gland) is not functioning properly.
- A tumor is present that interferes with the brain's ability to control FSH production.
- Stress.
- Starvation or being very underweight.
For full article, see WebMD website.
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