FSH Test: What do the results say about your fertility?

Posted by Healthians on January 21st, 2021

The FSH test measures the level of follicle stimulating hormone in the blood. The pituitary gland, a small organ located at the base of the brain, produces FSH. FSH plays a crucial role in sexual development and functioning. This hormone is associated with the production and development of eggs in women and sperm in men.

In men, FSH controls the production of sperm and also promotes the production of androgen binding proteins. FSH levels in men stay relatively constant after puberty.

In women, FSH controls the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. Its levels keep fluctuating throughout the menstrual cycle of a woman, reaching the peak right before ovulation, wherein an egg is released by the ovary.

In a man, the FSH test is asked for when:

• He’s been unable to get his partner pregnant after 12 months of trying.
• His sex drive has decreased.
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Reduced appetite

In a Women, the FSH test is asked for when:

• Find the cause of infertility
• Find out if there’s any problem with ovarian function
• Understand the cause of menstrual problems

Causes of high FSH in men:

• Damaged testicles
• Klinefelter syndrome
• Causes of low FSH in men –
• Disorder of the pituitary gland
• Disorder of the hypothalamus

Cause of high FSH in women:

• Loss of ovarian function
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Start of menopause or perimenopause
• Ovarian tumor
• Turner syndrome

Normal values of the FSH test in Men:

• Before puberty – 0 – 5.0mIU/mL
• During puberty – 0.3 – 10.0 mIU/mL
• Adult – 1.5 – 12.4 mIU/mL

Normal values of the FSH test in Women:

• Before puberty – 0 – 4.0 mIU/mL
• During puberty – 0.3 – 10.0 mIU/mL
• Menstruating women – 4.7 – 21.5 mIU/mL
• After menopause – 25.8 – 134.8 mIU/mL

These values are for your reference. Each lab may have slightly different reference ranges, hence test results from different labs may vary.

How is the test done?

FSH Test is a simple blood test wherein a small sample of blood is needed. It is usually drawn from a vein in the arm. The process is simple, quick and relatively painless. Although no kind of special preparation is needed for the test, a woman who has not gone through menopause may be asked to schedule her test at a specific time during her menstrual cycle.