Test ID FSH Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Serum
Reporting Name
Follicle-Stim Hormone (FSH), SUseful For
An adjunct in the evaluation of menstrual irregularities
Evaluating patients with suspected hypogonadism
Predicting ovulation
Evaluating infertility
Diagnosing pituitary disorders
Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
Frozen | 180 days | ||
Ambient | 24 hours |
Reference Values
Males
<12 months: ≤3.3 IU/L
≥12 months-≤5 years: ≤1.9 IU/L
>5 years-≤10 years: ≤2.3 IU/L
>10 years-≤15 years: 0.6-6.9 IU/L
>15 years-≤18 years: 0.7-9.6 IU/L
>18 years: 1.2-15.8 IU/L
TANNER STAGES*
Stage l: <1.5 IU/L
Stage ll: <3.0 IU/L
Stage lll: 0.4-6.2 IU/L
Stage lV: 0.6-5.1 IU/L
Stage V: 0.8-7.2 IU/L
*Puberty onset occurs for boys at a median age of 11.5 (± 2) years. For boys there is no proven relationship between puberty onset and body weight or ethnic origin. Progression through Tanner stages is variable. Tanner stage V (adult) should be reached by age 18.
Females
<12 months: 1.2-12.5 IU/L
≥12 months-≤10 years: 0.5-6.0 IU/L
>10 years-≤15 years: 0.9-8.9 IU/L
>15 years-≤18 years: 0.7-9.6 IU/L
Premenopausal:
Follicular: 2.9-14.6 IU/L
Midcycle: 4.7-23.2 IU/L
Luteal: 1.4-8.9 IU/L
Postmenopausal: 16.0-157.0 IU/L
TANNER STAGES*
Stage l: 0.6-4.1 IU/L
Stage ll: 0.3-5.8 IU/L
Stage lll: 0.1-7.2 IU/L
Stage lV: 0.3-7.0 IU/L
Stage V: 0.4-8.6 IU/L*Puberty onset (transition from Tanner stage I to Tanner stage II) occurs for girls at a median age of 10.5 (± 2) years. There is evidence that it may occur up to 1 year earlier in obese girls and in African American girls. Progression through Tanner stages is variable. Tanner stage V (adult) should be reached by age 18.
For SI unit Reference Values, see https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html
Day(s) and Time(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved or is exempt by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
83001
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FSH | Follicle-Stim Hormone (FSH), S | 15067-2 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
FSH | Follicle-Stim Hormone (FSH), S | 15067-2 |
Clinical Information
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a glycoprotein hormone consisting of 2 noncovalently bound subunits (alpha and beta). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus controls the secretion of the gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and LH from the anterior pituitary.
The menstrual cycle is divided by a midcycle surge of both FSH and LH into a follicular phase and a luteal phase.
FSH appears to control gametogenesis in both males and females.
Interpretation
In both males and females, primary hypogonadism results in an elevation of basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.
FSH and LH are generally elevated in:
-Primary gonadal failure
-Complete testicular feminization syndrome
-Precocious puberty (either idiopathic or secondary to a central nervous system lesion)
-Menopause (postmenopausal FSH levels are generally >40 IU/L)
-Primary ovarian hypofunction in females
-Primary hypogonadism in males
Normal or decreased FSH in:
-Polycystic ovary disease in females
FSH and LH are both decreased in failure of the pituitary or hypothalamus.
Clinical Reference
1. Demers LM, Vance ML: Pituitary function. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Bruns DE, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders Company; 2006:1984-1989
2. Haymond S, Gronowski AM: Reproductive related disorders. In: Burtis CA, Ashwood ER, Bruns DE, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders Company; 2006:2101-2127
3. Kulasingam V, Jung BP, Blastuig IM, et al: Pediatric reference intervals for 28 chemistries and immunoassays on the Roche cobas 6000 analyzer--A CALIPER pilot study. Clin Biochem. 2010 Sep;43(13-14);1045-1050. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2010.05.008
4. Konforte D, Shea JL, Kyriakopoulou L, et al: Complex biological pattern of fertility hormones in children and adolescents: a study of healthy children from the CALIPER cohort and establishment of pediatric reference intervals. Clin Chem. 2013 Aug;59(8):1215-1227. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2013.204123
Analytic Time
Same day/1 daySpecimen Required
Patient Preparation: For 12 hours before specimen collection do not take multivitamins or dietary supplements containing biotin (vitamin B7), which is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements and multivitamins.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum within 2 hours of collection.
Method Name
Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Oncology Test Request (T729) with the specimen.