Test Name: FSH, Blood
Specimen Type: Serum
Specimen Required: 3-5 Cc Yellow Top Gel Vial
Day Performed: Daily
Reporting Time: 8-24 Hours
Methodology: Beckman Coulter Access II/ Snibe Maglumi 4000
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
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 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
- 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.
References:
- Garibaldi LR, Chemaitilly W. Disorders of pubertal development. In: Kliegman RM, St Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020: chap 578.
- Jeelani R, Bluth MH. Reproductive function and pregnancy. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry’s Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: chap 26.
- Lobo RA. Infertility: etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis. In: Gershenson DM, Lentz GM, Valea FA, Lobo RA, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022: chap 40.