FSH – what does the test look like? The role and standards of FSH

Proven content

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland, a small gland under the brain. FSH plays an important role in sexual development and functioning. Read about the FSH level test, what are its standards and how it affects the body.

FSH – role in the body

hormone FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) belongs to the protein family. FSH is a glycoprotein with over two hundred amino acids divided into two units. The secretion of the FSH hormone is based on feedback and is regulated by the concentrations of gonadoliberin and estradiol.

This hormone has various functions in the body, and its secretion depends on age and sex (in women, also on the phase of the menstrual cycle). In women, along with LH, it is involved in the regulation of estrogen and progesterone levels and is responsible for the maturation of the Graaf follicle.

In addition, it increases the activity of aromatase, which is involved in the conversion of androgens (male hormones) to estrogens. In men, FSH stimulates the sperm-forming epithelium and also affects the functioning of testosterone. The FSH test is a test of the concentration of FSH gonadotropin produced by the pituitary gland.

Read: Corpus luteum: menstrual, gestational and corpus luteum failure

FSH – functions

Scientists have paid a lot of attention to the molecular structure of the FSH hormone in order to take advantage of its properties. There are some reports of the extraction of artificial follicle stimulating hormone from the urine of menopausal women. Then the concentration of FSH increases significantly.

The hormone obtained in this way is administered to women who are unsuccessfully trying to conceive in order to stimulate ovulation. Other studies have reported that a large number of cancers in both men and women have follicle-stimulating receptors in the area of ​​cancer cells. This is important information that may help in the future to find drugs that will work by blocking these receptors and thus neutralizing cancer cells.

See: A blood test can predict menopause

When is the FSH test performed?

FSH level testing is performed in both women and men as well as children. In women, the DSH level test is most often performed in the case of:

1. when the causes of infertility are sought,
2. malfunction of the ovaries,
3. irregular or stopped periods
4. early menopause or perimenopause. The menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her periods have stopped and she can no longer get pregnant. It usually starts when a woman is in her 50’s. Perimenopause is a transition period before menopause. It may take several years. FSH levels can be tested at the end of this transition.

In men, the FSH level is tested when:

1. when the causes of infertility are sought,
2. when the cause of low sperm count is looked for,
3. kernel problems.

In children, FSH testing is most commonly used to diagnose early or delayed puberty:

1. early puberty occurs if it begins before the age of 9 in girls and before the age of 10 in boys,
2. puberty is considered delayed if it has not started at age 13 in girls and at 14 in boys.

The FSH test is also useful in the diagnosis of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), but along with LH levels, hormonal disorders and other female diseases. Check your hormones now by purchasing the research package Women’s hormonal balance – blood test.

Which conditions should prompt you to undergo an FSH test?

In the case of women, FSH testing should be performed if:

1. you have been trying for a baby for 12 months,
2. Your menstrual cycle is irregular
3. Your periods have stopped. The FSH test can be used to find out if you are in the menopause or are perimenopausal.

If you are male, you may need an FSH test if:

1. you have been trying to have a baby with your partner for 12 months,
2. Your sex drive is significantly lowered.

Both men and women should have FSH levels tested if they have symptoms of pituitary disease. These include some of the symptoms listed above:

1. constant fatigue,
2. sudden weight loss
3. decreased appetite.

In the case of a child, as mentioned above, an FSH test would be advisable if the child is starting to mature too early or too late.

The course of the FSH study

The FSH test is a single blood collection from a vein in the arm – the test is performed with serum. The test may also be performed on a urine sample, in which case it is recommended to perform a XNUMX-hour urine test as FSH secretion varies depending on the time of day. The examination does not require special preparation (fasting).

Menopause – Urine FSH Plaque Test and Menopause – Urine FSH Stream Test can be purchased at Medonet Market and performed at home.

FSH is produced in the pituitary gland and regulates many processes in the body. It influences, among other things, the production of follicles in the first phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle, which contain the eggs needed for fertilization. In addition, along with LH, it regulates the secretion of progesterone and estrogen. His examination is based on the analysis of the level of follicle-stimulating hormone FSH. The hormones of the gonads and the hypothalamus are responsible for the regulation of its secretion.

At Medonet Market you can buy the Menopause TEST – home test for the determination of FSH in urine. You will find it at an attractive price and make it yourself at home.

FSH is normal

FSH level norms are as follows:

1. women (the level depends on the day of the menstrual cycle),
2. follicular phase – below 12 IU / l,
3. ovulation – from 20 to 90 IU / l,
4. luteal phase – below 10 IU / l,
5. menopause – from 40 to 250 IU / l (FSH levels increase after menopause),
6. pregnancy – trace concentration;
7. men – from 4 to 25 IU / l.

FSH levels change with age. After birth, it is high, then in the 6th month of life it decreases in boys, while in girls it decreases at the age of 1-2 years. In 6-8 years of age, it grows again, before the onset of sexual maturation.

Interpretation of FSH test results

The importance of your results will depend on whether you are a female, male or child.

For women, high FSH levels can mean:

1. primary ovarian failure (POI), also known as premature ovarian failure. POI is loss of ovarian function before the age of 40.
2. polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder that affects women. It is one of the main causes of female infertility.
3. the menopause has started or is in the perimenopause period,
4. ovarian tumor,
5. Turner syndrome – a genetic disorder that affects the sexual development of women. It often causes infertility.

For women, low FSH levels can mean:

1. an abnormal number of eggs produced by the ovaries
2. disorders in the functioning of the pituitary gland,
3. problems with the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and other important body functions
4. underweight.

For men, high FSH levels can mean:

1. testicular damage caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, infection or alcohol abuse,
2. Klinefelter’s syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects male sexual development. It often causes infertility.

For men, a low FSH level could indicate a disorder in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.

In children, high FSH levels, along with high levels of luteinizing hormone, can mean that puberty is on or has already begun. If this happens before the age of 9 for a girl or before the age of 10 for a boy (precocious puberty), it could be a sign of:

1. central nervous system disorders,
2. brain injury.

Low levels of FSH and luteinizing hormone in children can be a sign of delayed puberty. Delayed puberty can be caused by:

1. disturbance of the work of the ovaries or testicles,
2. Turner syndrome in girls,
3. Klinefelter’s syndrome in boys,
4. infection,
5. hormone deficiency,
6. eating disorder.

If you have questions about your child’s performance or results, talk to your doctor.