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Test ID FSH Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Serum

Reporting Name

Follicle-Stim Hormone (FSH), S

Useful For

An adjunct in the evaluation of menstrual irregularities

 

Evaluating patients with suspected hypogonadism

 

Predicting ovulation

 

Evaluating infertility

 

Diagnosing pituitary disorders

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen 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.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US 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 male and female individuals.

Interpretation

In both male and female patients, 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 female patients

-Primary hypogonadism in male patients

 

Normal or decreased FSH in:

-Polycystic ovary disease in female patients

 

FSH and LH are both decreased in failure of the pituitary or hypothalamus.

Clinical Reference

1. Saint Paul LP, Debruyne D, Bernard D, Mock DM, Defer GL: Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of MD1003 (high-dose biotin) in the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2016;12(3):327-344. doi: 10.1517/17425255.2016.1136288

2. Grimsey P, Frey N, Bendig G, et al: Population pharmacokinetics of exogenous biotin and the relationship between biotin serum levels and in vitro immunoassay interference. Int J Pharmacokinet. 2017 Sep;2(4):247-256. doi: 10.4155/ipk-2017-0013

3. Holmes DT, Bertholf RL, Winter WE: Pituitary function and pathophysiology. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:767-804

4. Nerenz RD, Boh B: Reproductive endocrinology and related disorders. In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham CAD, eds. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023:846-884

Report Available

Same day/1 to 2 days


Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 0.6 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial 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.