FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)

FSH is a gonadotropin, a glycoprotein polypeptide hormone which is synthesized and secreted by gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland and regulates the development, growth, pubertal maturation and reproductive processes of the body.
Interpretation: As FSH is responsible for the sexual development and functioning in women, it helps the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. FSH levels in woman, can change throughout the menstrual cycle depending on the sexual hormone interactions and follicule growth. The highest amount is released before the egg delivery. After menstrual cease, FSH levels increase to continue stimulating ovaries in order to continue reproduction although the ovaries are no more capable of ovulating. The high levels of FSH then causes disturbances like headache, pelvic pain, redness, bruising, irritation, breast swelling, body temperature imbalance and tenderness. FSH also plays role in testis development and spermatogenesis. High or low values may also cause infertility in both man and woman. If FSH levels are high, this may show anovulation, perimeopausal or meopausal state, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Turner Syndrome (a genetic disorder affecting sexual development in females). If FSH levels are low, this may show that there is a dysfunction in the pituitary gland or a nutritional disorder(malnutrition). In a man, high levels may show testicular damage or Klinefelter’s Syndrome (a genetic disorder that affect sexual development in males), low levels may indicate a disorder in the pituitary gland or the hypotalamus. In children, high levels (together with LH values) show the puberty onset. If this is before the age 9, this may be due to a central nervous system disorder or a brain injury. Low levels may indicate a disorder of ovary and testicles, Turner syndrome in girls, Klinfelter’s syndrome in boys, an infection, a hormone deficiency or a malnutrition.
Sample: Arm vein blood. Nonfasting
Working day: Everyday
Result Time: Same day 3 hours