Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH or also called follitropin) is a hormone from the pituitary gland (hypophysis) that, with the cooperation of luteinizing hormone (LH), controls follicle maturation (egg maturation) and estrogen formation in women. FSH itself is released by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GRH), which is produced in the hypothalamus. It is secreted (released) in a pulsatile manner and in women shows a cycle-dependent rhythm with a slight peak in the middle of the cycle. In men, FSH is important for testicular development and spermatogenesis (sperm cell formation). In the context of spermatogenesis, FSH stimulates Sertoli cells (supporting cells of testicular tissue) and increases the formation of androgen-binding protein (ABP) here.
The procedure
Material needed
- Blood serum
- 24 h urine
Preparation of the patient
- Not necessary
Disruptive factors
- None known
Normal values children – blood serum
| Age | Normal values in IU/ml |
| 5th day of life (LT) | 0,2-4,6 |
| 2nd month-3rd year of life (LY) | 1,4-9,2 |
| 4TH-6TH LY | 0,4-6,6 |
| 7-9 LJ | 0,4-5,0 |
| 10TH-11TH LY | 0,4-6,6 |
| 12-18 LY | 1,4-9,2 |
Normal values women – blood serum
| Cycle | Normal values in IU/ml |
| Follicular phase | 2-10 |
| Ovulation | 8-20 |
| Luteal phase | 2-8 |
| Menopause | 20-100 |
Normal values women – 24 h urine
| Cycle | Normal values in IU/ml |
| Follicular phase | 11-20 |
| Menopause | 10-87 |
Normal values men – blood serum
| Normal value in IU/ml | 2-10 |
Indications
- Diagnosis and progression of disorders of ovarian function (disturbance of pubertal development. cycle disorders, infertility diagnosis).
- Assessment of hormone replacement in the climacteric (hormone replacement therapy).
- Diagnosis and course assessment of disorders of testicular function (pathological spermiogram or pathological testosterone serum level).
Interpretation
Interpretation of elevated values in women
- Drug administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) – pregnancy hormone.
- Ovarian tumors (ovarian tumors).
- Condition after ovarectomy (oophorectomy).
- Climacteric – condition after menopause.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO syndrome) – disease that leads to hormonal changes due to the appearance of multiple cysts on the ovaries (ovaries).
- Turner syndrome – girls / women with this peculiarity have only one functional X chromosome instead of the usual two (monosomy X).
Interpretation of elevated values in males
- Testicular atrophy (testicular shrinkage)
- Hypogonadism (hypofunction of the gonads)
- Inguinal testicles
- Spermatogenesis (spermatogenesis) disorders – reduction of germinal cells; maturation arrest of spermatogenesis [FSH > 10 IU/mL in combination with an inhibin level < 80 pg/mL – suspicion of infertility].
Interpretation of decreased values in women
- Anorexia nervosa (anorexia)
- Hypopituitarism – underactivity of the pituitary gland.
- Hypothalamic dysfunction
- Drug therapy with ovulation inhibitors (“the pill”) or use of sex steroids.
- Stress
- Tumors of the pituitary gland (pituitary gland).
Interpretation of lowered values in men
- Secondary hypogonadism (gonadal hypofunction).
- Secondary testicular insufficiency
Other indications
- Male: assessment of FSH along with LH and serum testosterone levels and other tests as necessary to diagnose primary or secondary (pituitary) disorders.
- Woman: assessment of FSH along with LH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, and other investigations as appropriate.
- When interpreting the measured values, the cycle phase must always be taken into account, i.e. it is always necessary to specify the cycle day on the day of blood sampling or the first day of the last menstrual period.
- To determine the menopausal status, a sole determination of FSH is sufficient.
